The left-hander's turn has been skipped as his pitch counts and innings have risen.
Boston Red Sox pitcher Felix Doubront has been fine in the early innings, but struggled to get past the fifth and is being rested.NEW YORK - Red Sox pitcher Felix Doubront threw 45 pitches in a simulated game setting Friday, and will have another such workout before the Red Sox decide if it's time to restore him to the rotation.
He has also been dealing with a knee problem. Manager Bobby Valentine said the knee issue had cleared up, but Doubront could still wind up on the disabled list.
More likely is that Doubront will return to the rotation soon, perhaps by the end of this week. Valentine wants the pitcher to take his regular turn once he is ready, which would require the Red Sox to again revisit the issue of trying to fit six starters into five spots.
That's not counting Daisuke Matsuzaka, who might be activated after one more start at Triple A Pawtucket.
Doubront has been pitching off flat ground. Valentine said the pitcher has had a good, "active rest.''
He last pitched Aug. 9 at Cleveland, a 3-2 loss.
Doubront has hit a fifth-inning wall in each of his last two starts. High early pitch counts have contributed to the trend of a pitcher who starts out well but fades quickly in the middle innings.
The left-hander is 10-6. His 122 innings are seven fewer than his pro career high.
Doubront's start was skipped as the Red Sox decided he needed a break. The knee issue is not considered serious, but if he is not going to pitch, the Red Sox gain nothing by keeping him on the active roster.
They have until Sunday to retroactively place him on the disabled list. Teams have 10 days from the time of a player's previous appearance to do so.
If they do, they can activate Doubront from the point 15 days after his last outing, not the day they actually decided to put him on the DL.
After Sept. 1, the roster moves become moot. Teams can expand their rosters to up to 40 players, so putting Doubront on the DL after that point would serve no purpose.
David Ortiz took batting practice Friday, and some light running was possible. The DH remains on the disabled list for an Achilles strain that has sidelined him for a month.
Ortiz had been shut down for several days. On Thursday, he was pain-free, Valentine said.
The manager said Ortiz will not play in the Yankees series.