Rotation vs. O's set; Bedard returns Tuesday

Rotation vs. O's set; Bedard returns Tuesday

Rotation vs. O's set; Bedard returns Tuesday
BOSTON -- A short outing under his belt his last time out, Red Sox righty Kyle Weiland is getting the nod on three days' in rest in the first game of a day-night doubleheader against the Orioles on Monday.

John Lackey remains the starter for the nightcap. Game 1 at Fenway Park is set for 1:05 p.m. ET, and the second for 7:10 p.m.

Erik Bedard, who's been sidelined because of lat and knee injuries, was previously a candidate to start in the early game, but he's scheduled to pitch on Tuesday night. Josh Beckett then goes on Wednesday night, carrying the Red Sox into an off-day Thursday.

"There was some thought to pitching Bedard the first game [Monday], but we really wanted to talk to him a little bit more and see if another day, after throwing that side [on Saturday], would be to his benefit," manager Terry Francona said. "Which he thought it was. That's why we were waiting.

"Weiland had thrown 61 pitches, so he's fine to come back, either way. He had known before, potentially, what was going on. All the pitchers did. I have no idea how, again, we're going to need to see how long Erik stays out there. There's a lot of things going on, obviously, and we have a day off, too."

Francona said Bedard, who last pitched on Sept. 3, likely wouldn't reach the 100-pitch mark.

As for Weiland, he went three innings on Thursday against the Rays. Coming back on three days' rest is a first for him, but he expects he'll be fine.

"I've never come back on a fourth day, but usually I throw 90 or more pitches," the rookie said, referring to his low pitch count last time out. "Every day four for me, I usually feel like I could pitch that day. With 30 less pitches, and the fact that I usually feel ready to go on day four, I'm not too concerned."

Weiland adjusted his usual prep schedule this week in preparation for the start, skipping a traditional side session but nonetheless getting in his work.