Tim Wakefield of the Red Sox delivers a pitch to the Indians’ Grady Sizemore in the first inning of last night’s game.

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AP / Mark Duncan

CLEVELAND — Though the Red Sox weren’t prepared to make a move before game time, all signs pointed to utility infielder Alex Cora being placed on the disabled list, perhaps as soon as today.

Cora has been out of the lineup since last Wednesday after getting plunked on the right elbow. On Monday, manager Terry Francona said Cora had “no restrictions” in terms of what he could do, but apparently Cora’s progress has been minimal the last few days.

He hit in the cage yesterday afternoon, but the Sox don’t think he’s ready to return to action.

“It’s a little better than where it was three days ago,” said Cora after last night’s 5-3 win over the Indians. “But it’s not where I want it to be. If it’s not 100 percent and I can’t play, why be here?”

“For his peace of mind,” said Francona, “we’re going to have him get an MRI.”

If Cora is placed on the DL, the Sox could backdate him to last week and be without him for another week.

Beyond the decision to disable him, the Sox were debating whether to replace him with an extra pitcher or another utility infielder. Among the infielder choices: Joe Thurston or Keith Ginter.

Neither player is on the 40-man roster, though the Sox have room to add players.

As the Sox head into Yankee Stadium for a two-game series, the club could also opt for a 13th pitcher on the staff, then exchange the pitcher for an infielder when the Sox return home Friday.

Drew gets a breather

Outfielder J.D. Drew was out of the lineup last night for the first time since April 1, after the Sox returned from their season-opening series in Japan. Francona said he was merely trying to keep everybody fresh with three late-night travel arrivals in the span of five days.

Drew had been hitless in his last 11 at-bats before last night.

With Drew on the bench, Jacoby Ellsbury played right field with Coco Crisp remaining in center for the second straight night.

Ellsbury made the final out in the bottom of the ninth when he roamed into foul territory and plucked a foul popup from Jhonny Peralta out of the seats along the right field line.

Around the bases

Bartolo Colon still hadn’t been given clearance to begin throwing, though Francona suggested that was imminent. Colon remains sidelined with a slight oblique strain. Francona said that the pitcher would need about a week or 10 days after he begins throwing to reclaim his place in the Pawtucket rotation. … Mike Lowell, on the DL with a strained thumb, reported that the swelling on his left thumb has been significantly reduced. Lowell is now able to flex the thumb some. … When Kevin Youkilis struck out in the first inning last night, it ended his streak of 34 plate appearances without a strikeout, a career-best. … The Sox remain undefeated in road games in the U.S., winning all four games to date. … Jason Varitek’s last pinch-hit homer before last night came June 12, 2003 against St. Louis.

smcadam@projo.com