Jason Varitek's been with the Red Sox throughout his extended stint on the DL, no doubt offering advice to his teammates since he broke his foot in late June. According the veteran backstop, he's close to being able to help his team on the field.
"Honestly, I don’t really have much of a doubt right now," he told WEEI.com in Baltimore. "I’m ready to go."
The catcher said he will undergo a CT scan on Friday and then expects to begin a rehab assignment.
Options include the Triple-A PawSox, who are in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday and at home on Sunday. The Double-A Portland Sea Dogs are home through Monday. Both teams' seasons end on Monday, so the window for the rehab assignment is small.
The Red Sox also received some good news on lefty Felix Doubront. The 22-year-old gave up two home runs on Tuesday night before being diagnosed with a pectoral strain. He won't have to go on the DL, however, and is expected to be available for the weekend series against the White Sox.
The news on Dustin Pedroia doesn't seem too promising, with the second baseman telling reporters Thursday that he'll undergo a CT scan Friday to determine if he'll need season-ending surgery. While that would end his 2010 season, he said inserting a pin into his foot would have a 90 percent chance of getting him to spring training in full health.
