Boston Red Sox News

While leading the Red Sox to an 8-1 victory over the Indians at a rainy Fenway Park, John Lackey allowed just two hits and an unearned run over seven innings.

Scott Kazmir, who is 6-5 with a 3.90 ERA in 83 inning at Fenway Park, gets the start opposite Jon Lester, who allowed six runs during his previous outing, Saturday afternoon.

The Red Sox couldn't afford to play the waiting game with Shane Victorino this time around. Victorino's sore left hamstring and ailing back forced him to the 15-day disabled list on Friday, retroactive to Tuesday.

The Red Sox activated David Ross from the seven-day concussion disabled list Friday after doctors cleared him to resume playing.

Jose Iglesias was promoted from Triple-A Pawtucket on Friday and made his first big league start at third base, as the club placed Will Middlebrooks on the 15-day disabled list with a lower back strain

Every lineup, every day, as they are made public by the clubs.

Terry Francona's time managing the Red Sox was good, bad and everything in between. Making his first appearance at Fenway Park as a visiting manager on Thursday, Francona preferred to soak in the warm welcome and remember the good times.

Ryan Dempster only worked three innings and the Red Sox bullpen was unable to pick up the slack in a 12-3 drubbing by former Boston manager Terry Francona's Indians on Thursday at Fenway Park. David Ortiz hit a three-run homer.

Right-handers Justin Masterson and John Lackey will try to silence the bats of the Red Sox and Indians on Friday when the two clubs continue their four-game set at Fenway Park.

Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks exited Thursday night's game against the Indians with lower back spasms

Peter DiMartino, who tore 90 percent of his left Achilles tendon in the Boston Marathon bombings, threw out a ceremonial pitch before the Red Sox game against the Indians on Thursday night.

For David Ortiz, staying healthy goes beyond the physical. The 37-year-old Red Sox designated hitter is also keeping an open and forthright line of communication with manager John Farrell to help keep him on the field.

After a one-game rehab assignment, catcher David Ross (concussion) expects to be activated from the disabled list on Friday. A decision on pitcher Franklin Morales' next move has not been made.

Outfielder Shane Victorino was again unavailable to play for the Red Sox on Thursday, and the team is no closer to deciding whether to place the outfielder on the disabled list.

Every lineup, every day, as they are made public by the clubs.

When things are going well for Jacoby Ellsbury, a two-hit, two-walk night is hardly news. But the fact that such a performance on Wednesday drew a crowd around his locker is an indication that the center fielder has been in a pretty good slump.

Clay Buchholz remained unbeaten (7-0) with seven strong innings and David Ortiz knocked in two first-inning runs to help the Red Sox avoid a three-game sweep with a 6-2 victory over the White Sox in Chicago on Wednesday.

Indians manager Terry Francona will watch a game from the visitors' dugout at Fenway Park for the first time since leaving the club after the 2011 season. Zach McAllister and Ryan Dempster will take the mound for Thursday's series opener.

David Ortiz will see former Red Sox manager Terry Francona sitting in the opposite dugout for the first time on Thursday when the Indians visit Fenway Park.

Though outfielder Shane Victorino (left hamstring strain) did not return to Boston's lineup on Wednesday, it appeared more likely than 24 hours earlier that he'd be able to avoid a trip to the disabled list.