Soreness in lat will sideline Peavy for one start

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Jake Peavy’s latest health issue is directly related to the latissimus dorsi muscle near his right shoulder that was surgically re-attached last July.

Peavy, who left his start for AA Birmingham on Monday night with discomfort after 15 pitches, will miss at least one start after being diagnosed with irritation and tenderness the lat area near his right shoulder.

Peavy returned to Chicago on Tuesday and underwent an MRI which revealed no other abmoralities, the Sox said said. He will take anti-inflammatory medicine for six days and if all goes well, will resume throwing Friday. His next rehab start could be next Thursday.

The Sox had hoped to have him in uniform to pitch by the end of the month, but that won’t happen.

“We think he will come back but we’re not sure when,” pitching coach Don Cooper said. “But right now we’re proceeding as if he is not going to be here. We have to. We need our starting pitchers to step up and we need to get more consistency from our bullpen.”

The Sox went into their game against the Tampa Bay Rays carrying a five-game losing streak. Sox lefty John Danks (0-1, 3.15) was set to face the Rays’ James Shields (0-1, 3.98).

“We’ve lost a few games — the best way to stop a losing streak is for somebody to step up and shut down the other team,” Cooper said. “We’re hoping for that from John tonight.”

Manager Ozzie Guillen feared worse the night before.

“What they told me was good news,” Guillen said. “Nothing was bad.

“I was worried last night but with the word we got I feel a little bit better.”