Projo Sox Blog

BOSTON -- David Aardsma, who has been sidelined with a groin pull for the past 10 days, threw ``with 85-90 percent effort'' today according to Terry Francona and didn't experience any pain.
``He still feels tightness,'' said Francona, ``which is expected. Until that dissipates, he's not going to be in a game.''
Aardsma is expected to have another side session Friday, at which time the club will re-assess and perhaps map out a brief rehab assignment for him next week while the club is on the road.

For the second time in the last three games, Alex Cora is in the lineup as the starting shortstop.
Part of the reasoning is that with lefty Joe Saunders going for the Angels tomorrow night and an off-day coming Thursday, Francona wanted to find Cora some playing time now.
``The object,'' said Francona, ``is to keep guys sharp and productive. Playing Cora tonight is the best way to do both.''

Meanwhile, shortstop Julio Lugo, on the DL with a quad pull, is still limited to non-weight bearing activities such as swimming.
He'll remain at Fenway when the team leaves for a seven-game road trip to Kansas CIty and Chicago Sunday night.
``It's for the recuperative powers to be with a team,'' said Francona, ``but he can't do any baseball activity, so he'll stay back with (physical therapist) Scott Waugh.''

Bartolo Colon (lower back) will have another side session Friday. If he gets through that without any difficulty, he'll have one more, then will be sent to the minors for a rehab effort.

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