ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Even though Terry Francona has his starting rotation set for the remainder of the Red Sox' road, Tim Wakefield is hoping to change it.

The veteran knuckleballer played catch at 120 feet Wednesday and is scheduled to throw a side session Thursday at Tropicana Field. If everything goes well there's a strong possibility Wakefield will replace Junichi Tazawa as Saturday's starter in Chicago.

But if his side session doesn't go well on Thursday, he said there's also a strong possibility he will decide to have a surgical procedure to remove the disk fragment from his lower back that is causing all the discomfort.

"It's time to push the envelope," said Wakefield. "We're running out of time."

Wakefield, who received a cortisone shot on Monday, says he feels better. But there's more fluid pressing up against the nerve, which is causing him to experience more weakness and numbness in his back and legs. Despite the discomfort, Wakefield believes he can pitch in a game.

If the pain on Thursday proves too debilitating and he opts for surgery, he'll only be out of commission for two to three weeks and can resume full baseball activity in four weeks, which will allow him to pitch in the postseason.

After playing catch on Wednesday, Wakefield said he felt good but it'll depend on how he feels on Thursday.

"We're 48 hours out [from receiving the cortisone shot] so it's as good as it's going to get," Wakefield said. "We'll test it out and go from there."

Francona said he knows Wakefield is ready to pitch, but because of his lack of mobility the organization is trying to do the right thing.

"This is a hard one for us. He could potentially probably be pitching pretty soon and he could potentially probably not," said Francona. "We're trying to make the right decision. It's hard because we know he can go out and get outs. We'll just continue to keep an eye on him. I think [the shot] really helped, yeah."

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The Red Sox were amused at former teammate Curt Schilling's announcement that he's interested in the Massachusetts U.S. Senate seat that opened with the death of Ted Kennedy.

His former batteryman, Jason Varitek, didn't want to discuss the subject.

"I don't tip my hand," he said with a smile.

Kevin Youkilis joked there are some things more important than Schilling's chances of becoming a Senator.

"I talk about the Boston Red Sox," said Youkilis. "I'm not getting into anything off the field . . . What are we talking about? Let's talk baseball . . . If he runs, good luck. I wouldn't want that job."

All second baseman Dustin Pedroia could do was laugh because he didn't want to answer any questions regarding the subject.

"I really don't know much about it. I heard about that. I really don't know what to say. Good for Schill," said Pedroia.

When asked if he would vote for Schilling, Pedroia was mum.

"I don't know how to answer that, either," he said.

He was then asked what Schilling would bring to the U.S. Senate.

"A big appetite, I guess. I don't know," Pedroia said jokingly.

Francona served as Schilling's manager in Philadelphia and in Boston and the Sox' skipper believes their working relationship ends there.

"I don't think he'd want me as his campaign manager," said Francona. "I've been around Schill probably more than anybody. He's very dear to me. I guess whatever he wants, I want him to be happy. Just like anybody. I'd love to be out in the crowd when he's making his speech."

When asked for his comment, Jonathan Papelbon said, "Curt Schilling is a grown man and can do whatever he wants."

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Mike Lowell has been solid at the plate of late, posting a .326 average (15-for-46) in his last 12 games. The Sox' veteran third baseman has hit safely in 11 games during this stretch.

On Tuesday, he went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles, a RBI, two runs scored and a walk.

On Wednesday, he was on the bench.

Francona has said since prior to the All-Star break that he would give Lowell more games off in the second half of the season. With the addition of catcher/first baseman Victor Martinez to the lineup, it allows Francona and the Sox some versatility.

Lowell will be in the staring lineup Thursday.

"I've tried to spend a lot of time looking two, three, four days ahead," said Francona. "Looking at travel, looking at rest, looking at who is pitching. I know he wants to play every day. I completely respect that. But I think that it's working out pretty well. He's smart enough that on a night he doesn't play, to get off that hip and stay fresh. He's done a terrific job with it."

Lowell is hitting .302 with 16 homers and 66 RBI this season.

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Jon Lester tweaked his groin Tuesday night and was removed for precautionary reason after six innings, but said after the game that he didn't think it was anything serious.

On Wednesday, Francona agreed.

"We were very precautionary [Tuesday] night," said Francona. "He's OK. We didn't want that to become an issue and it won't."

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Josh Reddick was called up from Pawtucket late Wednesday afternoon. The outfielder was at McCoy Stadium Wednesday preparing for Pawtucket's game against Rochester. Shortly before 5 p.m., he packed his belongings and headed out.

jmcdonal@projo.com