NEW YORK -- Red Sox backup first baseman Sean Casey has been dealing with a sore neck for a week, causing him to miss some playing time. He said it’s getting better, and manager Terry Francona believes Casey will not have to make a trip to the DL, joining Mike Lowell, J.D. Drew, Julio Lugo, David Aardsma and Bartolo Colon.

Francona said Casey attempted to hit off a tee Tuesday and wasn’t feeling that good yesterday.

“If there is [a chance to go on the DL] we’re not going to do it, yet,” said the manager. “Because it’s a stiff neck, we feel like there’s more of an opportunity for him to show up and feel better than it would be if it was his back.”

Casey first felt the stiffness in Toronto last week.