--RHP Tim Wakefield threw 25 pitches in a side session Thursday afternoon, and said there's a possibility he could make a Saturday start against the White Sox. RHP Junichi Tazawa is still listed as the probable starter for the game, but manager Terry Francona indicated that Wakefield would make the start if his ailing back holds up. Wakefield had a cortisone shot in his lower back earlier this week, but he is still fighting residual weakness in his right calf. "He's able to execute all of his pitches really well," Francona said. "That's not the issue. But if he shows up and he's limping more so than he was, that's probably not a real good situation to put him in." --1B Jeff Bailey was outrighted to Class AAA Pawtucket on Thursday after being designated for assignment on Tuesday and clearing waivers. Bailey, 30, hit .208 with three home runs and nine RBIs in 26 games for the Red Sox this season, but he missed a large chunk of the second half with a badly sprained ankle. Bailey, who hit .264 with 10 home runs and 25 RBIs in 61 games for Pawtucket this season, doesn't appear to be a candidate for a September call-up. --RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka is set to throw a rehab start for Class AAA Pawtucket. He will throw about 75 pitches in his final tune-up. Barring setbacks, the 28-year-old Matsuzaka is scheduled to make a start for the Red Sox on Sept. 9 against the Orioles at Fenway Park. Matsuzaka has been on the 15-day disabled list since June 21 with a slight strain of the right shoulder, and he lasted only two innings for Class AA Portland last weekend.
MEDICAL WATCH:
RHP Tim Wakefield (lower back pain) missed his Sept. 1 start. He might return to start Sept. 5.
SS Jed Lowrie (sore left forearm) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Aug. 7. He began a rehab assignment with Class AAA Pawtucket on Aug. 24.
RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (right shoulder fatigue) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 20, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on July 31. He began a minor league rehab assignment Aug. 24, and he is expected to be activated Sept. 9.
RHP Miguel Gonzalez (sore right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 14.
ROTATION:
RHP Josh Beckett
LHP Jon Lester
RHP Clay Buchholz
RHP Tim Wakefield
RHP Paul Byrd
BULLPEN:
RHP Jonathan Papelbon (closer)
LHP Hideki Okajima
RHP Ramon Ramirez
RHP Manny Delcarmen
RHP Takashi Saito
RHP Daniel Bard
LHP Billy Wagner
RHP Junichi Tazawa
CATCHERS:
Jason Varitek
Victor Martinez
George Kottaras
INFIELDERS:
1B Kevin Youkilis
2B Dustin Pedroia
SS Alex Gonzalez
3B Mike Lowell
DH David Ortiz
INF Casey Kotchman
INF Nick Green
INF Chris Woodward
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Jason Bay
CF Jacoby Ellsbury
RF J.D. Drew
OF Rocco Baldelli
OF Brian Anderson
OF Joey Gathright
OF Josh Reddick
Sign up for breaking news alerts from FOXSports.com!
