TORONTO -- Right fielder J.D. Drew has missed the last six games with a herniated disk. Red Sox manager Terry Francona said yesterday that Drew might be placed on the DL when the club travels to New York.

“I guess that’s possible,” Francona said. “He’s been not available for a week now. We have a day off [today] and we’d like to give him a chance to not [go on the DL], but I guess that’s always a possibility.”

Drew, who has a history of back problems, suffered the flare-up Sunday of last week at Fenway Park. He had a MRI taken here Friday and the herniated disk was discovered. He’s still sore, to the point of having trouble walking.

-JOE McDONALD