PHOENIX (AP) – Curt Schilling was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday by the Boston Red Sox, a move that was expected as he works his way back from offseason ankle surgery.

Manager Terry Francona said the right-hander will pitch against minor leaguers two more times, and then is tentatively scheduled to start for the World Series champions against the New York Yankees on April 13 at Fenway Park.

Right-hander Wade Miller and outfielder Adam Stern also will miss the start of the season. Miller (right shoulder strain) and Stern (broken right thumb) were put on the DL retroactive to March 25.

Schilling, who had surgery on his right ankle in November, was placed on the DL retroactive to March 26.

“He should only miss about 10 days of the season, if everything goes according to plan,” Francona said. “His rehab is going very well.”

Schilling won’t be idle.

He is scheduled to pitch in Fort Myers, Fla., on Saturday, rejoin the Red Sox in New York and then pitch for Pawtucket at Indianapolis on April 7, when Boston’s top minor league affiliate opens its International League schedule.

Schilling has pitched in one major league exhibition game this spring and two minor league contests. He faced Indianapolis in his last game, allowing two runs, five hits and a walk and striking out seven in five innings Tuesday.

The Red Sox open the season Sunday night at Yankee Stadium.

Two out of action

Right-hander Wade Miller, along with outfielder Adam Stern, were placed on the 15-day disabled list on Friday retroactive to March 25.

Miller, an offseason free-agent signing, is recovering from a right rotator cuff injury that limited him to 15 starts for Houston last season.

Stern, a Rule 5 acquisition from the Atlanta Braves, is recovering from a broken right thumb and is expected to compete for the team’s fourth outfielder spot.

The Red Sox open the season on Sunday against New York in Yankee Stadium.