Projo Sox Blog

By STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- With knuckleballer Tim Wakefield on the disabled list, the role for his designated catcher, Kevin Cash, has changed.

Cash basically has started every fifth day this year, catching Wakefield. That meant starting catcher Jason Varitek knew he'd be getting a breather on a regular basis.

Now, said manager Terry Francona Sunday morning, Cash will be used in the more traditional role of backup catcher. That is, he'll likely start in a day game after a night game, or when Francona thinks Varitek needs a rest.

Francona said he would have no problem having Cash catch anyone in the rotation, but even though Sunday's game represents one of those day-game-after-night-game situations, he wanted Varitek catching Sunday starter Josh Beckett.

That scenario wouldn't have happened had the Sox not been rained out on Friday night. Clay Buchholz would have been pitching Sunday had it not rained and Cash would have been catching. So Cash's next starting assignment likely will be Wednesday night in Baltimore, with Buchholz on the mound.

 Tags  josh beckett kevin cash red sox terry francona

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