PORTLAND – Boston Red Sox reliever Chad Fox arrived in Portland Friday and is expected to make a rehabilitation appearance in Saturday night’s game against Altoona.

The right-hander is working his way back after being on the disabled list since the end of April due to a strained muscle in his side.

Among those in attendance tonight watching Fox will be Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein.

“I guess Theo’s coming up for the final approval that I’m OK,” said Fox.

Fox last pitched for the Red Sox on April 27 in Anaheim.

He has made three rehab appearances, two with Class-A Sarasota and one with Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday night.

“I’m anxious to get up there,” said Fox. “The hardest part when you’re healthy and ready to go is sitting and watching on TV, but I know you have to be smart and cautious with it.”

When Fox originally suffered the injury, he was told by team medical director Dr. Bill Morgan that he would be out for two months.

Fox hoped to come back more quickly but soon realized the timetable was right on the money.

“As soon as I tried to torque that side,” said Fox, “it would bring me to my knees.”

He was playing in a pool with his kids about three weeks ago when he noticed the pain had begun to dissipate.

Now his focus is on getting back into the mix at Fenway Park, regardless of the scrutiny the Boston bullpen is under.

“I know we’re going to be under the microscope the whole time,” said Fox. That’s just because we don’t have the proven closer. We don’t have the big-name guy. But not many (bullpens) out there are doing better than what we’re doing now.”

Taking it slowly

The Red Sox have decided to limit Sea Dogs pitcher Jorge De La Rosa to five innings in his starts for the rest of the season.

De La Rosa (5-2, 2.84 ERA), who will start tonight against Altoona, had not pitched more than 66 2/3 innings before converting into a starter last year.

The 22-year-old left-hander registered 138 2/3 innings last season between Sarasota and Trenton before playing winter ball.

“We want to try and protect him a little bit,” said Portland manager Ron Johnson. “He’s developing at the pace we want him to, so that’s where we’re going to keep him at.”

Watch and learn

Some of the Sea Dogs spent Thursday’s off day at Fenway Park watching the Red Sox play the Detroit Tigers.

Fifteen players and pitching coach Bob Kipper rode the bus down to Boston.

Kipper turned the trip into a learning experience for some of his pitchers, whom he sat behind home plate to watch Pedro Martinez.

“I was trying to show them that pitching in the big leagues is not about stuff,” said Kipper. “Guys in the big leagues have stuff and guys here have stuff. It’s about commanding your stuff, pitching ahead and forcing action.”

As good as Martinez was, Kipper was equally impressed with closer Brandon Lyon.

“That game was over like this,” Kipper said, snapping his fingers. “He was pounding the strike zone.”

Seeing stars

No Sea Dogs were named to the Eastern League Baseball Writers Association’s mid-season all-star team.

Akron swept the pitching honors, with starters Jeremy Guthrie and Fernando Cabrera joining the unanimous choice for closer, Rafael Betancourt, on the squad.

New Haven also had three players named: catcher Guillermo Quiroz, outfielder Alexis Rios and utility player Simon Pond. The other selections included Binghamton first baseman Craig Brazell, Harrisburg second baseman Josh McKinley, New Britain shortstop Jason Bartlett, Reading third baseman Juan Richardson, outfielders Josh Rabe of New Britain and Noah Hall of Harrisburg and designated hitter Alejandro Freire of Norwich.

Trenton’s Brian Myrow also was tabbed as a utility player.

bfoley@sunjournal.com

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