ATLANTA — Curt Schilling will be lost to the Red Sox until just before the All-Star break at the earliest, creating a temporary vacancy in the team’s starting rotation.

The Red Sox held a conference call that included Schilling, manager Terry Francona, GM Theo Epstein and the training staff yesterday morning, and it was determined that Schilling, who will be reevaluated tomorrow, will be placed on the DL with shoulder soreness.

The Sox couldn’t get anyone to Atlanta in time to replace Schilling on the roster for last night’s series finale here, but will have someone in San Diego tomorrow. That will likely be one of two outfielders from Pawtucket: David Murphy or Brandon Moss.

Schilling was due to pitch again Sunday in San Diego. Instead, thanks to today’s day off in the schedule, the Sox will bring Josh Beckett back on regular rest. Monday in Seattle, the Sox will do the same with Julian Tavarez, last night’s starter, who will be pitching on his regular day.

On Tuesday, however, the Sox will need a starter. That’s when either Moss or Murphy will be returned to Pawtucket and a starting pitcher summoned. That could be either Jon Lester or Kason Gabbard, with the latter reportedly holding a slight edge for the moment.

Schilling will report to San Diego on Friday, where the Sox will develop a program for him. He will not, however, be allowed to throw for a while.

“Were going to sit on him pretty good,” said Francona, “because we want him to come back and have a chance to be Schilling, and not have one good [start] and one bad.”

Schilling can’t be activated until July 4, four days before the All-Star break.

Drew pulled from game

Just when he looked to be on the verge of another big night in a National League park, outfielder J.D. Drew was forced from the game with tightness in his right quadriceps. The club said he was removed for cautionary reasons.

Drew homered to lead off the game, then doubled in his next at-bat in the second, but when the Sox took the field in the bottom of the second, Drew was replaced in right by Wily Mo Pena.

Drew has six homers this season and four have come in N.L. ballparks.

“He felt it a little, said Francona. “He’s got that big outfield (to play in San Diego) and hopefully he’ll be fine. We didn’t want to risk it.

Thumb still bothering Lowell

Third baseman Mike Lowell sat out his second straight game as the Sox try to buy him some time to rest his injured left thumb.

The original plan was to have Lowell sit Tuesday night, then return to the lineup as the Sox shuffled the trio of Lowell, Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz without the DH in an N.L. ballpark.

But with Lowell struggling at the plate (1-for-16) and his thumb nagging him, Francona told the third baseman that the two consecutive nights off, followed by today’s open date, was “a chance to give you a jolt.”

Lowell said the thumb, which he injured earlier this month while diving to make a play against the Yankees, bothers him more during game preparation.

“I don’t take as many swings or do as many drills,” said Lowell, “and as the game goes on, I feel fatigued. I hope the days off help.”

Donnelly moving in right direction

A bit ahead of schedule, reliever Brendan Donnelly threw long toss yesterday afternoon as he rehabs from the forearm strain that landed him on the disabled list earlier this month.

“I made 30 to 40 throws,” said Donnelly, “and everything went as planned. I’m not there yet. This is a step-by-step progression. Today was a pass/fail thing and I passed. I took it to the point where I felt some discomfort and then I stopped.”

Donnelly plans to throw again tomorrow in San Diego.

Around the bases…

Tim Wakefield and Beckett will throw at Petco Park in San Diego today after the Padres complete their afternoon game with Baltimore. … Daisuke Matsuzaka flew out to San Diego last night. He’ll start the series opener tomorrow night. … The Sox’ 4-0 win Tuesday night was their sixth shutout of the season. Last year, the Sox didn’t record their sixth shutout until the final game of the season when Devern Hansack threw a five-inning no-hitter against Baltimore. … Manny Ramirez’s homer was No. 481 of his career, tying him with Jim Thome for 25th on the all-time list. He now has 1,557 RBI, moving him ahead of Willie McCovey into 36th place. … Drew’s homer in the first was the second leadoff homer of his career. The series drew three sellouts for a total of 145,057.

smcadam@projo.com