Red Sox, Yankees Getting Healthier Before Playoffs
Kevin Youkilis made his return to the Red Sox's lineup tonight after missing a few games with back spasms. Against the Orioles, he's 0 for 3 with a walk hitting in the No. 4 spot.
For the Yankees, they'll see Andy Pettitte pitch on Monday after he missed his last start because of a tired shoulder:
When Pettitte throws on Monday, he’ll have gone 10 days between starts. The Yankees are being cautious because pain in the same shoulder hampered Pettitte during the second half of last season.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox are also expecting to see a starter back: knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. Wakefield pitched a bullpen session Friday and is expected to start on Monday as well:
Wakefield has experienced a strength deficiency in his legs, a condition related to the back problems that sent him to the disabled list for five weeks and have limited him to two starts since the all-star break.
"He did pretty well. He threw approximately 40 (pitches)," Francona said. "I think he actually felt some improvement over the other day."
Francona said the right-hander will be examined Saturday and undergo additional strength testing to make sure there were no ill effects from Friday's workout. If Wakefield continues to improve, he will start against the Royals, Francona said.
"If his strength was down, he wouldn't have been able to go through the (bullpen session)," Francona said.
Asked if starting on Monday was a definite, Wakefield replied: “In my mind it is.”
The Yankees lead the Red Sox by 7 games in the American League East. The Red Sox, with an 86-59 record, are 6 games up over the Rangers in the Wild Card race.
