The effort of Carlos Delgado to make to the Red Sox by Sept. 1 was dealt a setback on Saturday when the team announced he was being placed on the minor league disabled list with continued back soreness following his recovery from a pair of surgeries on his right hip.

Delgado was put on the seven-day disabled list at Triple-A Pawtucket and hasn’t played since August 15, when he tweaked his lower back and has missed almost a week of action.

“I don’t think he got hurt,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. “I think he was sore. I don’t think there’s an injury, per se. I think he’s just sore and it’s not the side of his repaired hip.”

Delgado, who turned 38 in June, had a pair of hip surgeries after hitting just four home runs and playing in only 26 games for the New York Mets in 2009.

The Red Sox signed Delgado to a minor league contract on Aug. 7 and reported to the PawSox with the hope of making the big league roster by Sept. 1 when rosters expand to 40.

Well, that might be finally it for the 2010 Red Sox.

So many times this season, observers have written the team off when they suffered injury after debilitating injury and had bullpen meltdowns that left everyone scratching their heads.

But Friday, like when the outcome of a court case becomes obvious because of overwhelming evidence, Friday night’s 16-2 debacle at the hands of the Blue Jays is exhibit A as to why these Red Sox are pretty much toast as far as a playoff contender.

True, there’s five weeks left and stranger things have happened but with Dustin Pedroia going back on the disabled list before Friday’s nightmare with the Blue Jays with a foot that he admits is still hurting him badly, there seems to be little energy left to give.

And then there’s the troubling case of Jon Lester. He came out Friday and had the worst outing of his career, allowing eight hits and a career-worst nine runs and couldn’t get an out in the third before being yanked for Scott Atchison. He allowed two homers to Lyle Overbay, walked three and struck out just one.

[Click here to listen to Jon Lester talk about his rough night.]

WHAT WENT WRONG FOR THE RED SOX:

Jon Lester continues to look alarmingly hittable. Never before had the left-hander looked so ordinary. The only other start that compares to Friday came on May 9, 2009 against Tampa Bay when the Rays beat Lester and the Red Sox, 14-5. That night he allowed 10 hits and eight runs. But he recovered the rest of the season to post a 15-8 record with a 3.41 ERA. After 14 1/3 innings of shutout pitching against the Yankees and Rangers, two great-hitting teams, Lester seemed to be back on track since losing his first four starts after the All-Star break.

But when Fred Lewis walked and Yunel Escobar reached on a bunt single, even the outs were loud, that is when Lester could record them.

And maybe worst of all, Lester couldn’t stabilize himself after giving up five in the first. Normally, Lester is capable of settling down and giving the team innings. He couldn’t even do that Friday as he lasted just 51 pitches before the Red Sox bullpen was called upon.

Lyle Overbay. Goes without saying that if an opponent has two home 3-run homers and drives in a career-high seven, you’re probably into the bullpen earlier than you want.

John McDonald and John Buck: McDonald, the pride of Providence College, went 3-for-5 with with a 3-run homer off Michael Bowden in the sixth. Buck picked the right night to come off the disabled list. He, like Overbay, had four hits and scored four times.

The Red Sox didn’t show Dustin Pedroia much of a reason to hurry back. It was announced before the game that the gritty second baseman was going back on the DL because his broken left foot hadn’t healed completely and was hurting too much.

WHAT WENT RIGHT FOR THE RED SOX:

The kids are alright. Starting with Yamaico Navarro, a lot of back-ups and call-ups got their chance to give the vets a night off and showed they cared. Navarro, taking Pedroia’s roster spot, borrowed a page from Daniel Nava, swinging at the first pitch he saw in the majors. While it wasn’t a grand slam or even a homer, it was a sharp single to left, joining Nava and Ryan Kalish as Red Sox rookies to produce a hit in their first MLB at-bats this season.

Terry Francona got one wish. The Red Sox manager said before the game he’d like to get a look at Jed Lowrie at first base to see if he might be able to provide some versatility to a roster that could use some with Pedroia joining Kevin Youkilis and Jacoby Ellsbury on the disabled list. Beginning with the fifth inning, Lowrie moved to first base and handled every chance smoothly.

Roger Clemens (AP)

Major league pitching legend Roger Clemens, who was indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday on charges of lying to Congress about his use of performance-enhancing drugs, joined Glenn Ordway and Lou Merloni on The Big Show Friday to lend his support to the WEEI Jimmy Fund radio-telethon.

Clemens said he was not surprised at the indictment, and he remained adamant that he will assert his innocence when the case goes to trial. “In time, we’ll get to have our say,” the former Red Sox star said.

Following are highlights from the interview. To hear the interview, visit The Big Show audio on demand page.

I won’t ask you how you are. I’ve been reading about you.

Well, I can’t really control that. But you can ask me how I’m am. I’m doing fine.

Were you floored at what happened yesterday? Were you expecting what happened yesterday? Was it a surprise to you?

It really wasn’t a surprise. I mean, I got my eyes opened up quite a bit when we went in there and the things that we went through before. I’ve got a great [legal] team. And like I said, guys, I sent it out in a tweet. I thought that was the best way to go about it — I’m getting up to date on all this high-tech stuff [laughter] — so I sent it out there. I thought it would be best because I knew people would want to hear from me. It stinks to be on the other end of some things or be quiet. But we’ll get to have our say, like we said now, and like I said. Friends and our family are doing well. You can’t believe how many phone calls. You know, I’m very thankful for that.

Like I said, for my situation, guys, what I do, because I love to do it, as far as the Jimmy Fund and the things that we do … The best way I can explain it [is] I think most of the people that do know me — I know there’s a lot of people that say they know me and they speak on my behalf and they really don’t take the time to get to know you. But the things that I enjoy doing [I do] it. Or I wouldn’t do it. I came from nothing. That’s the way our family was brought up. Now that I’ve made it, I always try to make a point to help others. I enjoy doing it or I wouldn’t do it. Baseball is what I did. It’s not who I am. When I was on the field, Lord knows I’m a fierce competitor. That’s the way I go about my work, because I have a lot of people counting on me to get out there and do well, and obviously pride.

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[WEEI.com's Mike Petraglia spoke 1-on-1 with Dustin Pedroia about his latest setback, a second trip to the DL.]

The Red Sox have placed second baseman Dustin Pedroia on the 15-day disabled list due to continued soreness in his left foot, calling up Yamaico Navarro.

Pedroia played in just two games since coming off the DL after recovering from a broken navicular bone in his foot, suffered on June 25 on a foul ball in San Francisco. Pedroia had played in two rehab games with Triple A Pawtucket over the weekend, showing no ill-effects after playing in the field on Saturday and serving as the PawSox’ designated hitter Sunday. He noted, however, that after Wednesday night’s game he experienced significant pain, not being able to get to sleep until 4 a.m.

“Today it’s hurting when I walk,” Pedroia noted. “So I guess the best thing to do is not do anything and let it heal … After the second day it was pretty much impossible to keep playing. I have to let it heal. It’s not fun.”

Pedroia was urged to be upfront with the Red Sox and team medical director Tom Gill in this case because all parties want to avoid a weakening of the healing in his left foot that could result in surgery.

“He woke up and he was pretty tender so we sent him over to see Tom to have a scan,” said Red Sox manager Terry Francona in announcing Pedroia’s setback on Friday afternoon. “And while it showed really good healing, it also showed there’s some healing to go. In layman’s terms, they tried to impress upon him a lot that if it hurt, you better tell us because you’re then you’re going to hurt yourself.

“We appreciate him trying to play because he’s really good. At the same time, and I know it’s hard for good players to be honest, but if he goes out there and hurts it, then we’re looking at something we don’t want to look at, and that’s a surgery and things like that so that’s sort of where we are.”

Pedroia was checked out by the Red Sox’ team medical staff, along with getting consultation from Dr. Lewis Yocum, before the team decided to place him on the DL. He noted that there was no additional damage found with the injury, but rather that it simply hadn’t fully healed.

“I knew it was going to be chance if I came back at played and it didn’t do well I would be out,” Pedroia said. “I knew that. They told me that. It just sucked that it happened. I figured I would play a couple days and if I would be sore I would have a day of two off and be fine. But that’s really not the way it’s working out right now.”

Pedroia said that he understands the reason for the approach going forward, taking into consideration what could happen if there is another setback.

“I have to make sure I’m OK. If I hurt myself bad it won’t only mess me up next year but it could mess me up for my career,” he said. “Hopefully I won’t do that.”

He also noted that he wasn’t sure if he would be out for the year.

“I don’t know,” Pedroia said. “I’ve seen so many doctors I’m kind of seeing everybody. I hope not.”

Here are more comments from Pedroia:

(On if he came back to early): “I don’t know, maybe. I played two games and it didn’t feel very well. I guess it’s part of the process with this kind injury.”

(On the disappointment): “I’m upset. I feel like I let everybody down. I can’t really do much. I tried. Hopefully it heals up and get back in there.”

(On if there is any additional damage): “From what they told me it’s not all the way heal so it’s going to hurt, and that’s at risk for other things. That’s why they kind of shut me down.”

(On approach): “Over time it wasn’t going to get better if I kept pounding on it. So I have to make sure it’s fine.”

(On if he felt it during his rehab stint): “To be honest I didn’t really have too many chances in Pawtucket. I had one ball hit to me, and I got on base but I didn’t really test it. The other day when I got on base I stole a base and scored, dove for a couple of balls and kind tested it. It didn’t really help me out.”

(Again, on disappointment): “I’m not excited. I want to be out there like everybody and help us win … We’ll be fine. Guys will step up. They have all year. I’m just one guy. Guys have gone down all year and guys have been able to step up and help us win. We still have a great chance at getting to the playoffs and winning the whole thing.”

(On prognosis): “I’m still healing. It’s not like I did something where it damaged me. It just takes time.”

Jon Lester

A night after a crushing 7-2 loss to an Angels team that was primed to get swept, the Red Sox will start anew by taking on the Blue Jays for the middle part of their nine-game homestand. What would normally be a quiet mid-August series between division opponents is amplified by combination of odd factors that will make each game unpredictable. Both teams feature dynamic offenses with the top two home run-hitting teams in the majors, led by the major league leader in homers, José Bautista (37), along with David Ortiz (27). Throw in the fact that the Red Sox will pitch their best three pitchers and the Blue Jays will reach the top of their rotation by the end of the series, and anything is possible. On Friday, the Red Sox will get the series started by throwing their ace lefty, Jon Lester.

After losing his four previous starts, Lester (13-7, 2.80 ERA) has come back with two strong efforts, against the Yankees (6 1/3 innings, 0 runs, 4 hits) and the Rangers (8 innings, 0 runs, 5 hits). Lester has been one of only two pitchers in the Red Sox rotation to last the whole season, but unlike John Lackey, Lester has been consistent. Lester has pitched less than six innings only once since the end of April, when he went five innings against the Indians on Aug. 4. Lester has faced the Jays twice this season, both times getting a positive result. On April 28, he lasted seven innings, with a fantastic line of no runs, one hit, two walks and 11 strikeouts. His next matchup against the Jays wasn’t as masterful, but it still went well as he gave up two runs on four hits with two walks and six strikeouts in a 14-3 laugher.

The man faced with the task of stopping Lester’s dominance is second-year starter Brett Cecil. Before June 15, Cecil had been dominant himself, winning five straight decisions to jump to 7-2 with an ERA of 3.22. Since then, Cecil has fallen back to earth, going 2-4 since mid-June to bring his record to 9-6 with a 3.96 ERA. In his last start against the Angels, Cecil had his worst game of the season, giving up seven runs on 10 hits with three home runs through 5 2/3 innings. Cecil did better the only time he faced the Sox this season, but he had the misfortune of opposing Lester in the Sox lefty’s seven inning one-hitter. In that April 28 game, Cecil went six innings with five hits and only a run given up, but it wasn’t enough as the Jays lost 2-0 and Cecil suffered the loss.

The Red Sox batters have seen Cecil only three times, and there’s one batter who stands out from the rest. J.D. Drew has faced the lefty five times and gotten two hits — both home runs.

As for the Blue Jays, Lester has done well in silencing their mighty bats. The major league leader in home runs is a mild 5-for-22 with a single home run and three RBI. The hitter who could be considered the most successful against Lester might be catcher José Molina, who is 5-for-15, all of them singles.

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If this were May or June and the Red Sox had just taken two-of-three from the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park and finished the season winning 9-of-10 in the season series, Thursday’s night’s loss wouldn’t be that bad.

But the game was played on Aug. 19 and the Red Sox couldn’t afford to settle for a Meatloaf “2-out-3 ain’t bad” scenario.

The Yankees clobbered the Tigers, 11-5, earlier in the day in the Bronx to take 3-of-4 in that series and move 29 games over .500.

The Red Sox needed a win just to keep pace and had one of their aces on the mound in Josh Beckett. The game, like the pennant race, was played with little room for error early on, as David Ortiz belted his 27th homer of the season in the fourth for a 1-0 lead.

Beckett looked like he had every intention of making that hold up – that is until the sixth. Four runs later, highlighted by a long three-run homer by Red Sox killer Hideki Matsui and the tone of the night and season suddenly darkened.

WHAT WENT WRONG FOR THE RED SOX:

It’s been this kind of season. The bad news began before the first pitch even began when Dustin Pedroia admitted that his left foot isn’t fully healed and it still ‘feels terrible.’ With Pedroia out of the lineup, the energy level dropped in the Red Sox order and that’s no knock on his replacement Jed Lowrie. Just simple fact.

Things went south for Beckett too quickly. This has been the case many times this season for Beckett, when he loses it on the mound, there’s no time for Terry Francona to really get the bullpen ready. With the Sox and Beckett clinging to a 1-0 lead in the sixth, Bobby Abreu opened by grounding out innocently to Mike Lowell at first, Maicer Izturis and Alberto Callaspo followed with game-tying doubles. Torii Hunter scorched a rocket of a grounder off the backhand of Adrian Beltre at third.

With runners at first and third, and still one out, Hideki Matsui crushed a first-pitch fastball over the wall and into the Red Sox bullpen in right-center. In the space of 13 pitches, the Angels had scored four times. Beckett got through the sixth allowing four runs but would not survive the three-run seventh for the Angels. He finished his night allowing six runs on seven hits, walking two and striking out six.

Beckett has made 14 starts this season and allowed at least four earned runs in half of them.

Ervin Santana made just one mistake. While David Ortiz launched his poorly-placed fastball [inner-third, belt high], it was really the only significant mistake he made while the game was close. He retired five of the next six batters and settled down to allow just two runs on four hits over seven-plus innings to improve to 13-8 on the season.

Runners in scoring position. Stop here and hit refresh if you’ve heard this before. The Red Sox couldn’t take advantage of golden opportunities presented by the opposing pitcher. Santana walked four and left with the bases loaded and no one out in the eighth. The Red Sox managed to score just one run on a sacrifice fly by Beltre. Not what you’re looking for when you’re down 7-1 and sense another big Fenway late-game moment.

Manny went back to bad Manny. Delcarmen walked three and allowed a run while retiring just one batter in the seventh. Not the consistency the Red Sox need as their season-long search for a bridge from starter to late-inning relief continues.

WHAT WENT RIGHT FOR THE RED SOX:

Jed Lowrie looks refreshed. He played well at second as a last-minute starter for Dustin Pedroia, even making a couple of slick plays in the field. Lowrie doubled Marco Scutaro over to third with none out in the ill-fated eighth. He has reached base safely in career-best 14 straight games with a plate appearance since July 26. Getting Monday off and resting the first two games of the Angels series seems to have rejuvenated Lowrie, who could be getting a lot more playing time if the Red Sox decide to play it safe with Pedroia.

Just when the Red Sox seem to be getting healthy bodies back, down goes another. And while a trip to the hospital to get a sore leg checked out didn’t seem like much initially, Red Sox manager Terry Francona and team medical officials are glad they didn’t take any chances with Jarrod Saltalamacchia on Wednesday.

Saltalamacchia was taken to Massachusetts General before Wednesday’s game complaining of soreness in his lower right leg.

“[Wednesday] his right lower leg was sore so we took him over to MGH to get him looked at,” Francona said. “We thought it was going to be a quick look-at and come back. An hour turned into two and then three. He wound getting back right about game-time. He’s got an infection in his lower right leg and I believe they’ve eliminated MRSA [bacteria infection]. They’re waiting on some of the blood tests to come back on the staph.”

Francona, who is a sponsor of the website www.strikeoutinfection.com after his health scares over the last several years, said the infection is not contagious and that Saltalamacchia will be treated over the next 48-72 hours and then will get some rest at home.

Saltalamacchia was immediately placed on the 15-day disabled list and was admitted to the hospital and remained there Thursday, being treated with antibiotics while he and the team wait on test results to come back.

The Red Sox recalled catcher Dusty Brown from Triple-A Pawtucket to take his spot on the roster and back up Victor Martinez.