Baseball Notes | Boston's Lester set for 2 rehab starts

Jon Lester

moved one step closer to the major leagues since being declared cancer-free when he threw a side session at Fenway Park yesterday before the Boston Red Sox hosted the New York Yankees.

The lefthander is expected to make two more rehabilitation starts for triple-A Pawtucket before Boston decides whether to put him on the big-league roster. He already has made three starts at single-A Greenville.

"Right now I feel strong, I feel healthy - I feel about as normal as I can be," Lester said. "I think that first start is going to be tough. The first couple innings, I'm going to have to control myself a little bit. Hopefully, it will be all right."

The 23-year-old Lester made his major-league debut last June 10 and went 7-2 with a 4.76 ERA. In August, he was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma, a cancer that affects the lymph system.

He underwent six chemotherapy treatments, the last in December, and doctors said there were no signs of cancer. He is scheduled to have a follow-up examination in Boston this week.

A New York Mets fan pleaded not guilty yesterday to shining a high-powered flashlight at an Atlanta Braves pitcher and shortstop during Friday night's game at Shea Stadium.

Frank Martinez was arraigned in Queens criminal court on charges of interfering with a professional sporting event and second-degree reckless endangerment. He was held on $1,000 cash bail and is due back in court May 1.

If convicted, Martinez faces up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

The Toronto Blue Jays optioned rookie righthander Jamie Vermilyea to triple-A Syracuse and recalled lefthander Brian Tallet after yesterday's 7-3 loss at Baltimore.

Chicago Cubs broadcaster and former all-star Ron Santo, 67, remained hospitalized while underdoing tests for an irregular heartbeat.

- Associated Press