BOSTON -- Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra will play at least
one more minor league game before Boston decides when he can make
his 2004 debut.
The All-Star shortstop went 0-for-3 for Pawtucket against
Louisville on Tuesday night.
"We won't know anything until we speak with him tomorrow,"
manager Terry Francona said before Boston played San Diego on
Tuesday night.
"I think he's been anxious (to return) the whole time. It could
be tomorrow, it could be next week. When he tells me he's ready to
play for us, that will be good enough for me."
The Red Sox said Garciaparra's right Achilles tendon would be
examined Wednesday before the team decides if he can play that
night against San Diego.
Garciaparra had only eight spring training at-bats when he
fouled a ball off his right heel on March 17.
In his rehab assignment with Pawtucket, he has gone 5-for-12 in
five games against Louisville and Toledo, homering in his last
at-bat on Saturday.