John Lackey May Only Need One Rehab Start, Meaning Right-Hander’s Return Could Come Soon

John Lackey‘s return doesn’t seem that far away.

Lackey, who was placed on the disabled list after suffering a strained right biceps in his first start of the season on April 6, is scheduled to make a rehab start at Double-A Portland on Monday. Red Sox manager John Farrell said that might be all the right-hander needs before rejoining the club.

“He felt great coming out of his bullpen Friday, and he’s ready to go in his outing [Monday],” Farrell said Sunday. “If he comes out of tomorrow as he came out of his bullpen, he may only make one start.”

Lackey is scheduled to throw four innings — approximately 65 pitches — in his rehab start. The 34-year-old missed all of 2012 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, so the Red Sox have been careful with him, but the amount of progress he appears to have made since his most recent injury is very encouraging.

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