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July 22, 2007
Jon Lester will be recalled from Pawtucket and will start tomorrow night's series opener in Cleveland.
The left-hander will be replacing slumping right-hander Julian Tavarez in the Red Sox' rotation, said manager Terry Francona this morning. Francona said a roster move to make room for Lester will be announced after today's game.
Lester, who battled through non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which was diagnosed last August, was 5-8 with a 3.89 earned-run average in 14 starts for the PawSox this year. Last year, after being promoted from Pawtucket, Lester, Boston's second-round pick in 2002, was 7-2 with a 4.76 E.R.A. in 15 starts for the Red Sox before being sent to the sidelines for treatment.
The Red Sox have been very careful with their handling of Lester, 23, wanting to make sure he was healthy enough and strong enough to handle the rigors of pitching in the big leagues before calling him up.
After having gone through cancer treatments, Lester was able to arrive at spring training on time, but it wasn't until recently that the Sox decided he was ready to return to the majors, especially with Tavarez's recent struggles opening the door in the rotation.
"I don't know if it was myself or John (Farrell, the Sox' pitching coach), but we asked RJ (Pawtucket manager Ron Johnson), 'If we're 100 percent and don't need Lester, should Lester be here?' And RJ said, 'Yes.' That clinched it for us," said Francona, insisting he couldn't remember when Lester was told of his promotion, though it likely was a couple of days ago.
Francona admitted that seeing Lester start tomorrow, after all he has gone through, including some inactivity caused by a forearm strain in June, will be special.
"I can't sit here and tell you there won't be some emotion when he takes the mound," said Francona. "His folks will be there and I'm sure for them it will be extra special."
Francona said Lester took the news in stride.
"He's not your typical 23-year-old," said Francona, referring to Lester's maturity. "Jon just wants to win the game. He's ready to pitch. He just said, 'Okay, tell me where to be and when to be there.' He was very businesslike."
Not that Lester hasn't been chomping at the bit to return to the big leagues, especially after all he has gone through. Lester had his bouts with inconsistency in Pawtucket, which probably were to be expected.
"He had to fight wanting to be here and pitching down there," said Francona. "He felt a committment to come up here and help us win and (he was) pitching for Pawtucket. He had some frustrations."
The same could be said for Tavarez, but on strictly a performance level. Tavarez was pitching well enough as the number five starter in the rotation until recently. Over his last three starts Tavarez was 0-2 with a 10.80 E.R.A. Overall, Tavarez, who is in the bullpen as of this afternoon, is 5-8 with a 5.27 E.R.A.
-- Steven Krasner
Posted by Steven Krasner 
at 11:36 AM | Permalink
jorge | July 22, 2007 5:19 PM link
make a lot sence him, before dever hansack who has6 wins on as many stars please let him go no chance for this guy with red sox.