John Lackey is on the disabled list for inflammation in his right bicep, and is working his way back to the big-league roster on a rehab assignment. After Monday night's start for the Portland Sea Dogs, though, he might already be done and on his way back to Boston soon.
The Sea Dogs published a post-game interview with Lackey following the start, which you can see below:
It's not very loud, but Lackey said his injury is, "not 100 percent, there's still a little bit of something there. But five more days of treatment, I think I should be fine." So long as Lackey woke up on Tuesday without an additional problem cropping up, then the plan was for him to be finished with rehab. News has not arrived as of yet stating otherwise, so unless something changes, expect him to be back in Boston for this weekend.
Lackey's next turn in the rotation is actually today, April 23, but with his rehab coming yesterday, Alfredo Aceves will take his third and likely final turn filling in for Lackey against the Oakland Athletics. That leaves Lackey a spot against the Astros on either Saturday -- in place of Felix Doubront, who just threw 6-2/3 innings yesterday, the same night Lackey pitched -- or on Sunday, when MLB.com lists the probable starter as "To Be Determined." Either would work for Lackey, but if the Red Sox want to keep lefties Doubront and Jon Lester separated, as was the initial plan in 2013, then Lackey will likely pitch on Sunday.
[Update 3:50 pm - Lackey will indeed pitch Sunday, barring some setback between now and then, according to John Farrell.]