Red Sox rumors & news: Lester, Lavarnway, Lohse, Bard, Schilling

The latest out of Boston has Ryan Lavarnway as the odd man out, Lester still hasn't discussed an extension with the Red Sox for some reason, Curt Schilling went all-Curt-Schilling this week, Kyle Lohse isn't an option, and Daniel Bard might just be the secret weapon.

Here's all the latest:

• Ryan Lavarnway looks to be odd-man out right now - WEEI
  Red Sox general manager said that, as of now, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and David Ross are being viewed as the major league catchers, leaving Ryan Lavarnway as the odd man out.

• Cherington: Farrell can't focus only on pitchers - The Providence Journal
  "John's job is much bigger than trying to help one player or two players get better because of some history he has with them. I think the players know that, too," Cherington said. "John's the manager now, not the pitching coach.... The manager's job is not one where he can sort of solely focus on a certain demographic."

• Red Sox rumors: Boston hasn't discussed extension with Jon Lester - MLB Daily Dish
  The Boston Red Sox haven't approached left-hander Jon Lester, who's entering the final guaranteed year of his current deal, about a contract extension.

• Jon Lester, Red Sox Have Not Started Extension Talks - Over the Monster
  To no one's surprise, Jon Lester hasn't talked contract with the Red Sox, but that doesn't mean the time won't come

• Curt Schilling encouraged to use PEDs by Red Sox, according to Curt Schilling - MLB Daily Dish
  Curt Schilling told ESPN Radio that the Red Sox encouraged him to use performance-enhancing drugs as a way to extend his playing career.

• Curt Schilling PED Story: Much Ado About Nothing - Over the Monster
  Curt Schilling says he was encouraged to use PEDs in 2008, but nobody should care.

• Red Sox rumors: Boston 'highly unlikely' to sign Kyle Lohse - MLB Daily Dish
  While they could afford it, the Red Sox are "highly unlikely" to sign free agent right-hander Kyle Lohse.

• What Getting There Early Says About The Red Sox - Over the Monster
  They're there, they're ready to get ready, we're ready to watch them get ready, so let's hand out some credit and get this thing going

• Daniel Bard could put the Red Sox bullpen over the top - Baseball Nation
  Despite his horrific 2012, Bard could be the piece that makes Boston's relief corps nigh unstoppable.