The Boston Globe's Pete Abraham believes Craig Breslow (shoulder) will start the season on the disabled list because he's scheduled to pitch in a minor league game Monday.

"Now he can be back-dated," Abraham tweeted. Breslow was supposed to make his Grapefruit League debut Monday, but he hasn't progressed as the club had hoped. The veteran left-hander is suffering from a bout of shoulder inflammation that has kept him out of game action to this point.

Craig Breslow (shoulder) threw a 20-pitch live batting practice session Friday.

It's the first time he's faced hitters this spring, as the veteran left-hander is nursing some shoulder inflammation again this spring. Breslow is slated for his Grapefruit League debut Monday and thinks he'll have time to get ready for Opening Day. However, Red Sox manager John Farrell said it's "probably premature" to say the southpaw will be available for the opener.

Craig Breslow (shoulder) believes he'll be healthy for Opening Day.

For a pitcher who hasn't appeared in a game or thrown a live bullpen session this spring, it's a confident proclamation. But keep in mind that Breslow also didn't pitch in spring training last year due to shoulder inflammation and ended up having his best season. "I think I'll be ready," said Breslow, "but I don't make the final decision, obviously. I feel good, I feel strong. We talked about from the beginning that I don't need a ton of games, I just need some repetitions and that was something I could kind of do on the side, throwing bullpens etc."

Craig Breslow is slated to face hitters Friday for the first time this spring.

Breslow didn't pitch in spring training last year due to shoulder inflammation and ended up having his best season, so the Red Sox are taking things slow with him this spring. If all goes well Friday, he'll pitch in a game next Monday.

Craig Breslow has yet to throw off a mound in Red Sox' camp.

Breslow dealt with a sore shoulder in spring training last season and began the year on the disabled list, so the club is taking it slowly with him this year. Red Sox manager John Farrell said the reliever has thrown long-toss on back-to-back days with "increased intensity" and is close to throwing off a mound. "Things are moving in the right direction," Farrell said.

Craig Breslow picked up his first win of the season by tossing 1 2/3 scoreless relief innings against the Twins Saturday.

Breslow missed the first five weeks of the season with shoulder inflammation and has posted a 1.35 ERA over seven appearances since his activation. The 32-year-old Yale graduate has never finished a season with an ERA higher than 3.75 and boasts a 2.97 career number. Nerds don't often fool scouts, but Breslow has made it look easy.

Red Sox activated LHP Craig Breslow from the 15-day disabled list.

Breslow missed the first five weeks of the season with a shoulder issue. The left-hander had a cool 2.70 ERA in 63 1/3 innings last year between Arizona and Boston.

Craig Breslow (shoulder) is close to being activated from the disabled list.

Breslow struggled in his first couple rehab outings, but he's looked better of late, tossing a second straight scoreless frame for Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday. "Getting closer," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "We'll review that internally and determine if that's when we return immediately on the homestand or if there's a need for an additional [rehab] appearance. But the most important thing is with each outing he's gotten more crisp with all his pitches and moving in the right direction."

Craig Breslow (shoulder) will make rehab appearances on Saturday and Sunday with Triple-A Pawtucket.

Breslow didn't retire any of the four batters he faced in his first rehab appearance at Double-A Portland on Tuesday. He's feeling OK, though, and just needs to work on his breaking ball while building up arm strength. The lefty could be back early next month.

Craig Breslow (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Portland next Tuesday.

Breslow has dealt witha shoulder issue since the beginning of spring training, but he's made strides and recently appeared in an extended spring training game. Barring a setback, he should rejoin the Red Sox' rotation by the end of the month.

Craig Breslow (shoulder) will throw in an extended spring training Tuesday.

It's his first game action since being placed on the disabled list. Breslow posted a 2.70 ERA between Boston and Arizona in 2012, and figures to be an important part of the bullpen this season.

Red Sox placed LHP Craig Breslow on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 22, with left shoulder inflammation.

Breslow has resumed throwing off a mound and should return a few weeks into the season. He held a 2.70 ERA and 61/22 K/BB ratio over 63 1/3 innings between Boston and Arizona last season.

Craig Breslow (shoulder) is scheduled to throw off a mound Monday.

Breslow hasn't pitched at all this spring due to shoulder soreness, but he's beginning to make progress. The 32-year-old posted a 2.70 ERA and 61/22 K/BB ratio over 63 1/3 innings between Boston and Arizona last season, so he figures to be an important part of John Farrell's bullpen once he's deemed ready.

Craig Breslow (shoulder) has begun playing catch from a distance of 120 feet.

Breslow is progressing nicely from shoulder soreness, but he's not sure if he'll appear in a game before the end of the Grapefruit League scheduled. The southpaw is slated to begin the season on the disabled list, but could be ready at some point in April.

Craig Breslow (shoulder) played catch from 90 feet Thursday.

The left-hander hasn't thrown from a mound since developing soreness in his pitching shoulder early on in camp. "Progress, albeit very slow," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. Breslow will begin the season on the DL.

Red Sox manager John Farrell indicated Thursday that Craig Breslow (shoulder) seems unlikely to be ready for Opening Day.

Breslow has yet to make his Grapefruit League debut due to a sore shoulder and is still focused on a strengthening program. Relievers don't need much work to get ready for the season, but he's quickly running out of time.

Craig Breslow (shoulder) will begin a throwing program Saturday.

It's not clear how long it will be before he'll be available for game action. As long as he doesn't have any setbacks, he should have enough time to get ready for the start of the season.

Red Sox manager John Farrell said Craig Breslow "is more symptom-free, but he has more strength gains to make before we implement a throwing program."

Breslow, who is dealing with a sore pitching arm, had been scheduled to throw Sunday, but that was scrapped. His readiness for Opening Day isn't a concern at this point, but obviously it will be the longer this drags on.

Red Sox and LHP Craig Breslow avoided arbitration by agreeing to a two-year, $6.25 million contract.

Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports reports that the deal has a max value of $10.5 million and includes an option for a third year. Breslow, who posted a 2.70 ERA and 61/22 K/BB ratio over 63 1/3 innings this past season between Boston and Arizona, was arbitration-eligible for the final time this winter.

Craig Breslow requested $2.375 million and was offered $2.325 million from the Red Sox when arbitration figures were exchanged Friday.

Breslow is arbitration-eligible for the final time this winter. With such a small difference in filing numbers, it shouldn't take much time for the two sides to hammer out a satisfactory agreement.