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Drew Added To Boston's Injuries

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 23, 2008

TORONTO - Red Sox outfielder J.D. Drew has a herniated disk in his back but is optimistic the pain will subside without a trip to the disabled list.

Drew left Sunday's game with tightness in his lower back and missed all three games of Boston's recent series in Baltimore. He was expected to return to the lineup Friday but had to be scratched when the soreness returned.

"We've got to figure out and get to a point where I don't want to miss any more time. It could be better today, it could be better on Sunday," he said before the Red Sox played Toronto on Friday night.

Drew is batting .280 with 19 homers and 64 RBIs,

"For whatever reason, my back is really guarding against letting that spasm out," Drew said. "It's tough, because when I sit down and get relaxed, I try to stand up and I'm stiff and it's hard to get moving."

Drew, who has faced back pain throughout the season, went to Toronto's Mount Sinai hospital Friday where doctors diagnosed the herniated disk.

In other injury news, Red Sox manager Terry Francona said right-handers Josh Beckett and Tim Wakefield will both throw in the bullpen today, while infielder Julio Lugo (quadriceps) is not yet ready to begin a minor-league rehab assignment.

CARDINALS: Right-hander Chris Carpenter increased the effort in his second bullpen session on Friday, but the 2005 NL Cy Young winner may not return before Sept. 1 when rosters can be expanded.

Carpenter, a 21-game winner in 2005, is eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list because of a strained shoulder on Tuesday. He said he'll probably need at least two more bullpen sessions before he will be cleared to return.

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