Schilling to slow down comeback

By wire services
Published July 6, 2005

ARLINGTON, Texas - Injured Red Sox ace Curt Schilling will probably need at least one more rehabilitation start before returning to the Boston rotation.

"I think he needs to come here and throw (on the) side, then pitch a couple more times," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said Tuesday. "I think that's more realistic than starting this weekend. I think that makes sense."

Schilling struggled Monday night in what was supposed to be his final outing before returning to the big-league rotation, allowing five runs on eight hits in five innings for Triple-A Pawtucket.

"Physically, I feel great today. But (Monday) was what it was," Schilling said after rejoining his team in Texas.

The right-hander wasn't willing to concede that he won't pitch before the All-Star break, saying "we haven't made any firm decisions." But he knows he's still not in top form.

"I think it's a lot more mental now than it was before, but I still think there's some physical issues ... just some inconsistency there velocity-wise," he said.

Also, Red Sox closer Keith Foulke will leave the team and return to Boston to determine if a knee problem is the cause of his struggles. The disabled list is a possibility, Francona said.

TRIPLE CROWN THREAT HURT: Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee, who is in the NL's top two in all the Triple Crown categories, left the game against the Braves with left shoulder irritation.

Lee backed out of the batter's box in apparent pain during his first-inning at-bat. He stayed in the game and struck out but left after the second.

BOSS HAS A BLAST: The Yankees were right: George Steinbrenner was watching on television as they wasted a big lead against Baltimore, then rallied to win on their owner's 75th birthday.

Steinbrenner viewed the Yankees' 13-8 victory Monday from his Tampa home, spokesman Howard Rubenstein said. After the game, manager Joe Torre said he assumed Steinbrenner had tuned in.

D'BACKS: Arizona reacquired one of its original players, agreeing to terms on a minor-league contract with right-hander Vladimir Nunez. The Cuban, 30, signed with the club Feb. 1, 1996, two years before its first spring training.

DODGERS: All-Star shortstop Cesar Izturis went on the 15-day disabled list with a sore right hamstring, two days after outfielder J.D. Drew broke his left wrist when hit by a pitch. The team learned Drew won't need surgery and is expected to return in about two months.

GIANTS: Right-hander Brett Tomko, pulled from the rotation for one turn last week, will start Thursday against the Reds. The team is weighing what to do with left-hander Kirk Rueter, whose winless stretch is at nine starts.

MARLINS: Right-hander Josh Beckett left in the third against the Brewers after straining his left oblique.

PHILLIES: Right-hander Jon Lieber left in the first against the Pirates after being struck on the right elbow by Jose Castillo's line drive. X-rays did not show any broken bones.

[Last modified July 6, 2005, 00:50:11]