BALTIMORE — Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek, following an examination of his left foot by Dr. George Theodore on Wednesday, said that he expects that he will be cleared to play following a CT scan on Friday. Barring an unexpected development, Varitek — who has been out since a foul ball broke the appendage on June 30 — believes he will be green-lighted for rehab games this weekend, following a return to the Red Sox.

“Honestly, I don?t really have much of a doubt right now. I?m ready to go,” said Varitek. “I wouldn?t feel the way I feel and be able to do what I?ve been able to do if I wasn?t. … I?ve just got to pass the CT scan, and then they give me the go-ahead and let me go. I?m ready.”

Varitek had been enjoying a strong first half at the time of his injury. He was hitting .263 with a .324 OBP, .547 slugging mark and .871 OPS. He was expected to serve as the Sox’ primary catcher following teammate Victor Martinez‘ trip to the disabled list, but Varitek was just a couple games into that tenure before his injury sent him to the sidelines.

The road back has been longer than expected for the Red Sox Captain, who took pride in the fact that he has remained in game shape, thus positioning himself to return before the end of the season. As such, the 38-year-old admitted that he is giddy at the prospect of playing again.

“I?ve done a lot of work to be where I?m at, not just with my foot ? with everything, trying to maintain and stuff,” said Varitek. “I?ve punched in the time clock quite a while. I?m just excited to return to a little bit of a normal schedule.”

Varitek’s teammate, Dustin Pedroia, was also examined by Theodore. That evaluation showed significant healing in the left foot that has allowed Pedroia to play in just two games since June 25.

Even so, any determination about whether the second baseman requires surgery will have to wait until his CT scan on Friday. That outcome certainly remains a possibility.

“[Pedroia is] much improved from last week, when [Theodore] looked at him. A lot less pain on the range of motion and the resistance, which was really encouraging,” said manager Terry Francona. “I don?t think he?s ready to play, but it was really encouraging to see the amount of healing that?s taken place over a week, so we were really happy about that.

“I think Friday?s probably an important day,” Francona continued. “I think it was a good visit. He explained things, he diagrammed some things, which is good, I think he explained to him what the surgery would potentially be. It was a good visit.?