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Baseball Today: Wednesday, April 11 »
April 10, 2007
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Jon Lester continued his rehab assignment for the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday, throwing 51 pitches in four innings of play for the Class-A Greenville.
Lester retired the first eight batters he faced, striking out five.
This was Lester’s second rehab start for the Drive as he attempts to return to Boston’s rotation after an offseason of cancer treatments.
In his first start in Charleston on Thursday, Lester shut out the New York Yankees’ affiliate, the Charleston RiverDogs, on two hits over four innings.
The 23-year-old pitcher is due for his next checkup later in April to see if he’s still cancer free. Lester was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma, a cancer in the body’s lymph system, late last season.
He went 7-2 with a 4.76 ERA as a rookie last season. But in August, doctors found the cancer.
Lester underwent six chemotherapy treatments between the discovery and Dec. 21, then reported to Boston’s training camp in early February — about two weeks ahead of the due date.
Previous tests have shown him without cancer. Still, the Red Sox didn’t want to rush Lester back. He didn’t pitch in a major league exhibition game, only facing minor league competition.
Last week, Lester was sent to Greenville, where he’s expected to make at least four starts.
--ASSOCIATED PRESS
Posted by Chris Venditto 
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