PAWTUCKET — Zach Daeges, remember him? The Pawtucket Red Sox outfielder hasn't been around in a while because he suffered a right ankle sprain and was placed on the DL on April 23.

When he returned to Fort Myers, Fla., in late April for extended spring training, he was wearing a walking cast, which he was only supposed to need for a couple of weeks. But, according to PawSox manager Ron Johnson, Daeges is still wearing it.

"It must have been a lot worse than we thought," said Johnson. "Right now I don't have him in the immediate radar for coming back."

Daeges suffered the injury during spring training, but played through the pain until he aggravated it in the early portion of the regular season with Pawtucket. The 25-year-old outfielder was impressive both offensively and defensively during Boston's camp, but was limited to only nine games with the PawSox before the injury.

The Red Sox selected him with their sixth-round pick (193rd overall) in the 2006 draft.

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Speaking of the disabled list, Daeges isn't the only one on the shelf. Eight players — pitchers Chris George and Devern Hansack, first baseman Sandy Madera, infielders Jeff Natale, Ivan Ochoa, catcher John Otness and outfielder Jonathan Van Every are also there.

The PawSox placed Van Every on the seven-day disabled list (retroactive to May 30) with a left knee sprain. The center fielder, who began the season on Boston's DL after suffering an ankle injury during spring training, is hitting .218 with four homers and 10 RBI for Pawtucket. He's played seven games for the Red Sox this season and hit one homer with three RBI.

The PawSox are at their roster limit of 24 players and have used 42 different players this season.

Gifts for the fans

The first 3,000 fans 14-and-under to arrive tonight at McCoy Stadium will receive a PawSox Junk Ball. On Thursday, the first 3,000 fans will receive a PawSox Rally Towel.

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Johnson saw an old friend at McCoy Stadium yesterday afternoon when former Kansas City Royals shortstop Buddy Biancalana walked into his office. Biancalana, who was one of the heroes of the 1985 World Series for the Royals, now works with athletes as co-founder of the Perfect Mind-Perfect Motion. He is working with PawSox pitcher Rocky Cherry. Both Johnson and Biancalana played in the Royals organization in the early 1980s.

jmcdonal@projo.com