Carlos Carrasco is not an option because of a sore right elbow. Travis Hafner could be placed on the disabled list Tuesday if sore right shoulder doesn't respond.
A strong performance with AAA Columbus has helped David Huff get another start with the Indians, as he fills in for the injured Mitch Talbot on Tuesday in Boston.BOSTON, Mass. -- This is a daily briefing of the Indians' 2010 regular season. The Indians play the Red Sox tonight in the first game of a four-game series at Fenway Park.
Fenway Park's dimensions: Left field line 310 feet, left field power alley 379 feet, center field corner 420, right center field power alley 380, right field line 302. Height of the Green Monster (left field wall), 37 feet.
Pre-game notes
Game 106: Left-hander David Huff will rejoin the Indians to start against the Red Sox on Tuesday night at Fenway Park. Huff opened the season in the Tribe's rotation, but was optioned to Class AAA Columbus after going 2-9 in 13 starts.
Huff has gone 6-0 in seven starts at Columbus. He's allowed 18 earned runs on 51 hits in 42 2/3 innings. He has 32 strikeouts and 10 walks.
The rotation is in a state of flux because of Jake Westbrook's trade on Saturday and the back injury that put Mitch Talbot on the disabled list Friday. The Indians' rotation currently looks like this: Fausto Carmona, Huff, Justin Masterson, Josh Tomlin and Jeanmar Gomez.
It will stay that way until Talbot comes off the disabled list on Aug. 14. Manager Manny Acta staid then it will be a choice between Huff and Gomez as to who stays.
"Josh Tomlin is going to stay in the rotation," said Acta. "We want to get an extended look at him."
If Carlos Carrasco wouldn't have injured his right elbow in a start at Columbus, he would be up here now instead of Huff, Tomlin or Gomez.
"It's a bad break for him," said Acta, "but I don't think it will take him out for the next two months. We should still be able to get a look at him."
What about Aaron Laffey? Acta said when Laffey (tired left shoulder) comes off the disabled, they'll have to see if he'll stay in the rotation or go back to the bullpen.
"A lot will depend on how the guys in the rotation are pitching," said Acta. "We'll make a decision base on what's best for him and what's best for us."
DL-bound? Acta said if Travis Hafner's right shoulder keeps him out of the lineup Tuesday, he would probably go on the disabled list. Hafner missed his fifth game with soreness in the shoulder after taking batting practice Sunday in Toronto.
"Today's BP will determine if he would be available off the bench and play on Tuesday. Or we'll have to make a decision. It's getting to that point where it's a lot of days in a row without him."
Hafner expected to play Sunday against Toronto.
"It's just a matter of it bouncing back and getting in a good spot to play, at least a few games in a row," said Hafner.
Said Acta, "It is a concern because in spring training he felt close to 100 percent healthy."
Third base: Jayson Nix was back in the lineup tonight at third. He's struggled since being given the first shot at the position following last week's trade of Jhonny Peralta.
"If he can't handle it," said Acta, "we'll have to mix and match over there. We can't forget about Louie Valbuena and Andy Marte."
Lineups
Indians (44-61): CF Trevor Crowe (S), SS Asdrubal Cabrera, RF Shin-Soo Choo (L), C Carlos Santana (S), 1B Matt LaPorta (R), DH Jordan Brown (L) LF Shelley Duncan (R), 3B Jayson Nix (R), 2B Jason Donald and RHP Fausto Carmona (10-8, 3.92).
Red Sox (60-45): SS Marco Scutaro (R), RF J.D. Drew (L), 1B Kevin Youkilis (R), DH David Ortiz (L), C Victor Martinez (S), 3B Adrian Beltran (R), LF Ryan Kalish (L), 2B Bill Hall (R), CF Eric Patterson (L) and RHP John Lackey (10-5, 4.26).
Umpires: H Mike DiMuro, 1B Tim Welke, 2B Jim Reynolds, 3B Bill Welke. Tim Welke, crew chief.
Quote of the day: "I think the good Lord is a Yankee," Yankee closer Mariano Rivera, from Baseball Almanac.
Next: LHP David Huff (2-9, 6.04) vs. RHP Josh Beckett (2-1, 6.33) Tuesday at 7:10 p.m.