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
Lester Will Pitch for Boston
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...   (Associated Press)

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. (More Jon Lester stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X