Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Lester Will Pitch for Boston

After battling cancer, the 23-year-old to throw against Cleveland tonight

By Joseph Fasano,  Newser User

Posted Jul 23, 2007 5:13 AM CDT

(Newser) – Boston will send left-hander Jon Lester to the mound against Cleveland tonight, marking the 23-year-old's first outing since being diagnosed with cancer last year. "I don't think it really  has sunken in," said Lester, who put up a 3.89 ERA in his 14 games with Pawtucket this year. Manager Terry Francona said the move will send struggling starter Julian Tavarez to the bullpen.

In his rookie season, '06, Lester was 7-2 with a 4.76 ERA for Boston, and the team has taken a particular interest in his recovery. "It's been hard getting treated like you're in a glass bottle," Lester admitted yesterday, "so it'd be nice to finally break through and get to pitch again." The Sox are 7.5 ahead of the Yankees in the AL East.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester delivers during the Pawtucket Red Sox's minor league baseball game against the Buffalo Bisons in Pawtucket, R.I., Friday April 27, 2007. Lester was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma, a cancer in the body's lymph system, late last season. He underwent six chemotherapy...
Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester delivers during the Pawtucket Red Sox's minor league baseball game against the Buffalo Bisons in Pawtucket, R.I., Friday April 27, 2007. Lester was diagnosed with anaplastic...   (Associated Press)
Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester watches the baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles from the dugout rail Friday, May 11, 2007, at Fenway Park in Boston. Lester has been sidelined from the club for all of this season since his treatment for cancer last season. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester watches the baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles from the dugout rail Friday, May 11, 2007, at Fenway Park in Boston. Lester has been sidelined from the club for...   (Associated Press)
Jon Lester pitches for the Greenville Drive Thursday, April 5, 2007, against the RiverDogs in Charleston, S.C. Lester is on rehab after battling cancer and hopes to return to the Boston Red Sox rotation.(AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)
Jon Lester pitches for the Greenville Drive Thursday, April 5, 2007, against the RiverDogs in Charleston, S.C. Lester is on rehab after battling cancer and hopes to return to the Boston Red Sox rotation.(AP...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

BoSox Sweep ChiSox

Lester Scores Victorious Return

MLB's Midterm Report Cards

Yanks Sweep Sox In The Bronx

Clemens, Yanks Down Sox, 4-3


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne