AL Notebook: Bad back KO's Wakefield for division series

By Times Wires
Published October 3, 2007

BOSTON - The Red Sox left knuckleballer Tim Wakefield off their playoff roster for the first-round series against the Angels because of his ailing back.

Manager Terry Francona said Tuesday the goal was to get Wakefield healthy enough for later in the playoffs, should Boston advance. Wakefield, 41, threw Tuesday but did not feel good.

"We all know Wake. He bleeds for us," Francona said. "But he understands this is the right thing to do. We were going to possibly put him in a situation that was not fair to him or the team."

The right-hander was 17-12 with a 4.76 ERA in 31 starts this season. He declined to comment before the decision was announced and wasn't available afterward.

The Red Sox instead will carry a third catcher, Kevin Cash, a former Devil Ray and Tampa native who played 12 games this season after being called up in mid August. Francona said the move would give the Red Sox more flexibility to make substitutions, particularly with speedy rookie OF Jacoby Ellsbury.

MATTHEWS OUT: After a brief workout at Fenway Park, Angels CF Gary Matthews deemed his left knee too painful to play in the first round, and Los Angeles left him off the playoff roster.

"I'm not the happiest camper on earth right now," Matthews, 33, said after numerous meetings with manager Mike Scioscia and the team's medical staff. "Everyone wants to come to the playoffs being 100 percent and being able to help your team, and I'm not able to do that right now."

Matthews hit .252 with 18 home runs, 72 RBIs and 18 steals this season.

CLEMENS SET TO GO: RHP Roger Clemens is set to start Game 3 for the Yankees against Cleveland after throwing 69 pitches in a four-inning simulated game at the team's complex in Tampa.

Clemens, 45, who has not pitched since Sept. 16 because of a hamstring injury, faced 18 batters, then took grounders on the mound, fielded bunts and also practiced covering first base.

"It was a very good report," manager Joe Torre said after speaking with team vice president Billy Connors, who attended the session. "Everything got high marks."

[Last modified October 3, 2007, 00:17:38]