BOSTON (AP) – The Boston Red Sox began their review process Sunday and expect to have an announcement on the future of manager Grady Little later this week.

The Red Sox have not commented on whether they will pick up Little’s contract option for next season, but team president Larry Lucchino said Sunday he expects to make an announcement sometime during the week.

Little, whose contract option expires Friday, did not return calls from The Associated Press seeking comment.

Little has been criticized for his decision to stick with tiring ace Pedro Martinez in the eighth inning of Game 7 of the AL championship series against the New York Yankees. Martinez could not hold a 5-2 lead, and New York won in the 11th inning on Aaron Boone’s homer off Tim Wakefield.

The Red Sox have insisted that Little’s future will not be determined by one decision.

In his two years as Red Sox manager, they were 93-69 and 95-67, and qualified for the playoffs this season for the first time since 1999.

Little became the Red Sox’s 43rd manager on March 11, 2002, after Joe Kerrigan was fired. Kerrigan had taken over late in the 2001 season after Jimy Williams was fired.

The Red Sox postponed their decision because of a baseball embargo on major announcements during the World Series. The Series ended Saturday night when the Florida Marlins beat the Yankees in six games.

AP-ES-10-26-03 1841EST