Jon Lester Aiming for Monday Return

After a successful side session Wednesday, the Boston Red Sox feel confident that they will be able to welcome Jon Lester back to their rotation Monday when the club takes on the Royals.

Lester last appeared for the Red Sox July 5^th against the Blue Jays but had to exit that contest early after experiencing discomfort in his back.  The left hander later underwent an MRI that revealed a muscle strain, but Boston said that no matter the results they were planning on using the All-Star break to rest Lester.

The 27 year old was back on a mound Wednesday in Baltimore when he threw a side session before the Sox played their finale with the Orioles.  Boston liked what they saw and are excited to be getting back one of their best arms.

"“There’s no issues. That’s good,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. “We’re just trying to ramp him up and let him get strong. He feels nothing in that lat, which is great. That’s what we wanted. Now it’s just the idea of getting him back to where he can go out there and start a game and not be so limited to where he can only throw 50 pitches.”"

Francona noted that Lester will have to make it through one more side session evaluation Friday and that if the lefty does pitch Monday, he will be on an 80 to 90 pitch count.

Before his injury, Lester turned in a solid first half for Boston, posting an ERA and WHIP of 3.31 and 1.21 on his way to a record of 10-4.  He was especially strong in June when all of his starts were quality and he maintained a 2.31 earned run average over 35 innings.

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