Jason Varitek will make his first start since June 30 when the Red Sox meet the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night.
The 38-year-old catcher, sidelined with a broken foot for more than two months, returned for a quick cameo during the team's last homestand, going hitless in two at-bats off the bench.
Varitek's return allows Victor Martinez to play first base. Mike Lowell, hitless in his last 17 at-bats and bothered by a rib fracture, begins this one on the bench.
Darnell McDonald will bat second and play right field in place of J.D. Drew, who has been bothered by ankle and hamstring issues. Drew might've been a candidate for a day off with lefty Luke French on the mound, but French has traditionally had more success against right-handers.
This will be the first look at French for every Red Sox starter.
Here are the complete lineups for both teams:
Red Sox
Marco Scutaro, 2B
Darnell McDonald, RF
Victor Martinez, 1B
Adrian Beltre, 3B
David Ortiz, DH
Jed Lowrie, SS
Jason Varitek, C
Bill Hall, LF
Ryan Kalish, CF
Mariners
Ichiro Suzuki, RF
Chone Figgins, 2B
Russell Branyan, DH
Franklin Gutierrez, CF
Casey Kotchman, 1B
Jose Lopez, 3B
Michael Saunders, LF
Adam Moore, C
Josh Wilson, SS
