J.D. Drew has a fractured middle finger. Red Sox GM Theo Epstein revealed that bit of news Monday in a chat with WEEI radio in Boston. Drew is hoping to play through the discomfort, but he hasn't had much luck with that strategy yet. There's no telling when he might be activated from the disabled list.

During an appearance on WEEI in Boston on Wednesday, Red Sox manager Terry Francona indicated that J.D. Drew (finger) isn't close to returning from the disabled list. Drew was originally placed on the disabled list in July with a left shoulder impingement, but has made little progress since spraining his middle finger in a rehab game with Triple-A Pawtucket at the end of August. "We don't know," said Francona. "He tried to throw yesterday and that didn't go real well. And he hasn't attempted to swing yet, so he's probably not on the horizon. And we haven't had him for a while now." With Drew's status in doubt, Josh Reddick should continue to get the majority of the playing time in right field.

J.D. Drew (finger) won't be activated off the disabled list for "at least a week." Drew hurt his finger while completing a rehab assignment for an injured shoulder at Triple-A Pawtucket. Red Sox manager Terry Francona says there's a chance Drew will need to be sent on another rehab assignment before rejoining the team. At the very least, it sounds like you should be planning to be without him in your AL-only league for an additional 10 days.

J.D. Drew (finger) expects to miss more than a couple of days. Drew injured his middle finger while taking a big hack in a rehab game Tuesday at Triple-A Pawtucket. X-rays showed a tiny sliver of loose bone in the finger. He might not be ready until late next week.

J.D. Drew injured his middle finger while playing in a rehab game Tuesday at Triple-A Pawtucket. Drew finished 3-for-3 with a run scored, but he suffered a slight sprain in his finger and is going to need a couple days of rest. The Red Sox won't activate him Thursday, but the veteran outfielder should be ready to rock at some point this weekend.

J.D. Drew (shoulder) is expected to return from the disabled list Thursday. Drew is scheduled to play two games with Triple-A Pawtucket, beginning Tuesday night. He went 0-for-2 with a walk and a hit by pitch Friday in his first minor league rehab game with Single-A Lowell. Josh Reddick has really struggled following a hot start, so assuming he's healthy, Drew could get a chance to regain his old job in right field upon his return.

J.D. Drew (shoulder) is scheduled to resume his minor league rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Pawtucket. Drew went 0-for-2 with a walk and a hit by pitch Friday in his first minor league rehab game with Single-A Lowell. He was scheduled to play in another rehab game over the weekend, but those plans were scrapped due to the weather. The veteran outfielder should return from the disabled list this week, though he recently admitted that his right shoulder won't be 100 percent for the rest of the season.

J.D. Drew (shoulder) will begin a minor league rehab assignment Friday with Single-A Lowell. The plan is for Drew to spend Friday and Saturday with Single-A Lowell before playing with Triple-A Pawtucket next Tuesday and Wednesday. If all goes well, he will be activated from the disabled list on September 1. The veteran outfielder hasn't played since July 19 due to a right shoulder impingement.

Rex Sox manager Terry Francona said the team is trying to decide when to send J.D. Drew (shoulder) out on a rehab assignment. That would imply that he's likely to begin one soon, but for now he'll continue to take batting practice. Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe writes that it "sure looks like" the Sox won't activate Drew from the DL until roster expand.

J.D. Drew (shoulder) will be limited to swinging in a batting cage until Friday. Drew had early batting practice before Saturday's game and took some aggressive swings to test his sore left shoulder. "I'm building my endurance up,'' said Drew. "It's about what we expected. There's some soreness and I think I'll deal with that the rest of the year. The strength gains we made helps. Now I have to battle out of some bad habits.'' He might need rehab assignment before likely returning in late August.