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Lackey threw a 45-pitch side session as Bobby Valentine watched. The manager liked what he saw.
"I would say that I'll bet you there were 35 to 37 of those pitches were excellent," said Valentine. "They were thrown with an ease of motion and had perfect location, movement. I was very impressed with what I saw. And, after talking to him after with what I saw, he's feeling really good about his progress."
Lackey will try to throw more breaking balls on flat ground as part of his next step, then return to a session where he replicates a game situation by pitching "innings."
As to whether Lackey might pitch in September, the Sox haven't made a determination. He underwent surgery last October, which would have him at the 11-month recovery stage next month.
As to whether Lackey might pitch in September, the Sox haven't made a determination. He underwent surgery last October, which would have him at the 11-month recovery stage next month.
"We haven't gotten quite that far in the schedule," said GM Ben Cherington. "He's come along really well. I fully expect him to pitch in some sort of competitive environment this year so that he can go into the off-season and feel like it's a normal off-season. But I don't know when that game is or what that game is."
CSNNE:Lackey may pitch in September
Oh hey there John Lackey! Glad to see your able to throw in some pitching while you're pounding some brews! Now that I got that out of my system...
This is something I'm actually looking forward to just to see if Lackey the pitcher is still worth it. We all know Lackey the person is someone that is probably the most unlikable member of a team that has a bunch of loathable people. But if he can actually be the #2 starter for next season and pitch like one? Well we can come up with some sort of compromise by just silently clapping his performance.
We'll need some sort of coping mechanism as John Lackey isn't leaving this town anytime soon. No team in their right mind would want him at that contract, unless the Sox pay at least 75% of his salary, which is something they will not do. So if we're stuck with him, we might well see if he'll be useful.
Rest of the Links: Globe: Bronx bombing | Lavarnway's defeinse making great strides | Crawford surgery is likely imminent | Herald: Beckett not worth it | Negativity old news to Cherington | Crawford's surgery decision due today | Beckett folds again in loss to Yankees | Friends, fans pay tribute to Pesky | Salty's slide reopens debate behind plate | CSNNE: Better but still not good enough | Red Sox have no answers for Kuroda | Sox undecided on Lackey pitching in September | Why did Crawford continue to play? | WEEI: For starters, Sox losing battle | Same [expletive] result for Beckett | Bobby V: Crawford 'trending the wrong way'
