BOSTON — David Pauley’s stay in Boston was short.

The right-hander, called up from Pawtucket and pressed into service as the starting pitcher last night when Josh Beckett (stiff neck) was unable to go, was told he would be optioned back to the PawSox today.

Manager Terry Francona said that, as of last night, it wasn’t clear who would come up to take Pauley’s spot on the roster. It depends on the health of catcher Jason Varitek, who has been suffering from a debilitating case of the flu.

Varitek missed his third straight game last night. But Francona said Varitek informed him before last night’s game that he thought the worst of the flu was over for him.

Francona said if Varitek is more improved today, Boston will call up a position player. If he isn’t, the Sox will promote a catcher to back up Kevin Cash. Last night’s backup catcher was starting second baseman Dustin Pedroia.

The Sox are thin in the outfield because to make room for Pauley yesterday they designated utilityman Joe Thurston for assignment. Coco Crisp continues to recover from a hamstring injury and could be available to start tomorrow.

Beckett, meanwhile, could be healthy enough to make his next scheduled start, Sunday on the road against Tampa Bay.

Thumbs-up for Lowell

Third baseman Mike Lowell, on the disabled list since April 10 because of a strained left thumb, took batting practice on the field for the first time since suffering the injury. Francona was pleased with what he saw.

“He looked good,” said Francona, who was watching to see if Lowell was “nursing the bat” through the hitting zone, but didn’t see that problem.

Francona said it would be important to see how the thumb reacted from the workout. If there is no issue, Lowell will again hit on the field today. The earliest he could go out on a rehab assignment would be this weekend, Francona said, but there is no guarantee that Lowell will be in a minor-league lineup by then.

All good things come to an end

Julio Lugo’s streak of consecutive hits and times on base came to an end because of a call at first base that, on replay, appeared incorrect.

Lugo was called out by umpire Ed Montague, who ruled the short-hop throw from shortstop Erick Aybar was scooped in time by Casey Kotchman.

A star shines in right

Defensively, the Angels’ Vladimir Guerrero is known for his strong throwing arm, possessing one of the best cannons from right field in the game.

But it was his speed, aggressiveness and glove that stole a homer from Manny Ramirez in the fifth.

Shading Ramirez a bit toward the right-field line, Guerrero took off after a drive Ramirez scalded inside the Pesky Pole. Guerrero reached out and gloved the ball just a split-second before his exposed left side crashed against the low wall.

Casey rolls into second

The Sox’ Sean Casey was credited with the rare infield ground-rule double in the seventh. He laced a shot down the first-base line that went off Kotchman’s glove and rolled into the Boston dugout.

Cora’s arm still isn’t up to speed

Alex Cora, meanwhile, still is about a week away from being cleared to start throwing again. Cora has a right elbow strain. He took batting practice on the field yesterday afternoon.

Extra bases

The Red Sox reassigned Bryan Corey to a Pawtucket contract. Corey had been cut April 11 to make room for Mike Timlin. … Julio Lugo lined a single to left in his first at-bat, extending his hitting streak to eight games. … Ellsbury’s leadoff homer in the bottom of the first was his first-ever leading off a game. … The Sox celebrated Earth Day by wearing the Red Sox Official Greening logo on their jersey sleeves.

skrasner@projo.com