By Danny Picard
CSNNE.com
BOSTON -- Marco Scutaro hasnt played since May 7 because of a strained oblique. But manager Terry Francona said Tuesday thatthe Red Sox shortstop has officially received the OK to do all baseball activities."
Hell be out on the field today, and well see where thattakes him and when, said Francona in Tuesdays pregame press conference. Itcould be as early as this weekend, maybe playing. Well see. Its just going tohave to go on completely on how hes doing.
Daisuke Matsuzaka had his right elbow examined by Dr.Lewis Yocum Tuesday afternoon in Los Angeles, and Francona is waiting to hear the results.
I would imagine, pretty soon well be getting a phonecall, said the Red Sox manager.
The plan for Matsuzaka is for him torejoin the team in Boston on Wednesday, with the only real question being anexact timetable for a return to the mound.
In the meantime, with John Lackey returning to the rotationthis weekend, Francona gave his rotation for the Yankees series in New Yorknext week. Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz and Josh Beckett will get the call.
Boston Red Sox
As for the fifth starter, Francona said on Tuesday that hesthinking of possibly mixing and matching Tim Wakefield and Alfredo Aceves.
Left-hander Franklin Morales had an MRI on his strainedleft forearm, and Francona was pleased that the results came backstructurally, very sound. Francona said Morales may even throw prior toTuesdays game with the White Sox.
Theres some swelling in his flexor mass, which Im sure iscausing him a little bit of what hes feeling, said Francona. But thats goodnews. He actually felt way better yesterday, than he did the day before, sothats good news.
We just want him to be able to go out and pitch like hecan. Its hard, especially a guy like him. He throws hard. And he reaches backand lets it go. Hes not a real finesse guy. We want to let him be able to dothat.
Danny Picard is on twitter at http:twitter.comDannyPicard