CLEVELAND -- Tim Wakefield won't be the only one returning to action Tuesday night after a long layoff. His batterymate, Doug Mirabelli, will make his postseason debut, too.

Terry Francona said that because Mirabelli catches only when Wakefield pitches, the idle time won't affect him the way it might someone else.

The fact that Cleveland will start finesse right-hander Paul Byrd could make it easier on Mirabelli, too.

''Backup catchers play only so often,'' Francona said. ''I'd be surprised if he doesn't have good at-bats (in Game Four). When Doug sits for a while, guys with good velocity tend to give him the most trouble.''