“I’m hopeful,’’ Saltalamacchia said. “I’ll move around and try to play catch.’’
Saltalamacchia was not in the original lineup, but Jason Varitek was scratched about 25 minutes before the first pitch because of a badly bruised right knee.
Varitek was hit in the knee by a pitch from Ivan Nova of the Yankees in the fifth inning Sunday night and left the game in the seventh inning after limping to first base on a single.
“Right now, I can’t tell you,’’ Varitek said when asked if he could play tonight. “I’m going to try and get ready to play.’’
Varitek tried jogging and playing catch with starting pitcher Josh Beckett before deciding he could not play. Beckett said he expected that would be the case all along.
With Saltalamacchia catching him for the first time since April 5, Beckett allowed six runs in six innings.
Rookie Ryan Lavarnway is the likely starter if Saltalamacchia and Varitek cannot go.
The Sox recalled catcher Luis Exposito yesterday. He had been home in Miami since the end of Pawtucket’s season Sept. 10.
“He’s on the roster just because of the late night [Sunday], Salty catching so many innings [and] Tek getting banged up,’’ Francona said. “It seemed like it was silly not to have him here.
Buchholz nearly back
Clay Buchholz threw 18 pitches in an instructional league game in Florida and will rejoin the Sox today to be evaluated as he makes his return from a back injury.
Buchholz, according to Francona, gave up a double.
“Health-wise, really good,’’ the manager said. “A little bit rusty facing hitters.’’ If the Sox had clinched a playoff spot, Buchholz was set to pitch in relief tomorrow. Instead, he is slated to return to Florida for another appearance.
Happy to help
J.D. Drew was back in the lineup, going 2 for 4. He returned to action Sunday after missing two months with a sore left shoulder and a fractured knuckle on the middle finger of his right hand.
Drew was 1 for 5 in the Game 2 victory.
