BOSTON -- Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield has been left off Boston's playoff roster for its first-round series against the Los Angeles Angels because of his ailing back.

Manager Terry Francona said Tuesday that the goal was to get Wakefield healthy enough for later in the playoffs, should the Red Sox advance.

Wakefield (17-12) threw Tuesday, but did not feel good.

The Red Sox instead will carry a third catcher, Kevin Cash, who played 12 games this season after being called up in mid-August. Francona said the move would give the Red Sox more flexibility to make substitutions.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press