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Lester returns to the mound as Red Sox visit Indians

Jul 23, 2007 - 1:48 PM Boston (59-39) at Cleveland (58-40) 7:05 pm EDT

CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- Jon Lester will make an emotion-filled debut when the Boston Red Sox visit the Cleveland Indians to open a four-game series on Monday.

Lester (NR), who was diagnosed with cancer last August, will be recalled by the Red Sox and make his first appearance in the major leagues since winning a start against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on August 23.

He was then scratched from his next start with a sore back on August 29 and, three days later, Boston announced that he had a treatable form of lymphoma.

Starting the season on the disabled list, the 23-year-old Lester has worked his way back through the minor leagues, going 4-5 with a 3.61 ERA in 17 starts between Class A Greenville and Class AAA Pawtucket.

The Red Sox, who finished off a series win over the Chicago White Sox with an 8-5 win on Sunday, will aim for their fourth straight victory.

Boston has scored 31 runs over its last four games.

The Indians counter with Jake Westbrook (1-5, 6.07 ERA), who is 3-1 with a 4.23 ERA in five career starts against the Red Sox.

In five outings since returning from an abdominal strain that sidelined him for most of May and June, the righthander is 0-3 with a 4.50 ERA.

Cleveland has won three of its last four games following an 8-3 win over the Texas Rangers on Sunday.