FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Red Sox officially announced on Saturday that Curt Schilling won't start Boston's season opener April 3 against the Yankees. He won't pitch for the first two weeks of the season, either.

Manager Terry Francona made the announcement before Saturday's game against the Orioles at City of Palms Park.

It was the team's worst-kept secret, as Schilling hasn't pitched in game yet after having offseason surgery on a sheath in his right ankle. He is set to throw in a minor-league intrasquad game Monday.

Two-time Yankee David Wells, signed this offseason after playing one season for the Padres, will start the season opener against Randy Johnson at Yankee Stadium.

"He's been there before," Francona said. "Regardless of how that game goes, if it doesn't go the way we want it, he'll be fine. I just think that's best for our whole entire staff, to let David take the ball the first night, because he's done it before."

Francona booked his starting rotation through April 18. With Schilling unable to start the season, the team will likely place him on the 15-day disabled list. That would make him eligible to come off the DL on April 19.

The Red Sox will use a four-man rotation until at least that date, because the team has four days off over those 15 days. Tim Wakefield will pitch in the team's home opener, also against the Bronx Bombers, on April 11. Before the game, the Red Sox will receive their World Series rings.

Wakefield, who will be the No. 3 starter until Schilling's return, has been with Boston since 1995, the longest tenure on the team.

"That will be nice for him," Francona said.

Matt Clement, the team's No. 2 starter for now, will pitch April 5 against the Yankees. Clement, who gave up three runs in four innings on Saturday against the Orioles, said he's looking forward to his indoctrination into arguably the best rivalry in baseball.

"It's an honor to be able to start any of those first three games," Clement said. "That's what they brought me here to do."

Injury updates: Manny Ramirez was scratched 20 minutes before Saturday's game because of a sore back. The outfielder lifted weights and hit before the game, Francona said, before his back tensed up. Ramirez will play Sunday when the team travels to Bradenton, Fla., to play the Pirates.

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Trot Nixon, who has been out since Wednesday with a flu that was passed around the clubhouse, will also start Sunday.

Manzanillo sent down: The Red Sox decided to send veteran reliever Josias Manzanillo to minor league camp Saturday morning, but will give him the option to go on the free agent market.

Manzanillo, 36, pitched in his first Major League game in 1991. He was drafted by the Red Sox in 1983, and pitched out of the bullpen for the Marlins last season before being signed by Boston as a non-roster invitee.

Foulke on track: Closer Keith Foulke pitched a perfect inning Saturday and had to go to the bullpen afterward so he could throw more pitches.

"Sometimes you almost want him to give up a hit or two to have to work out of jams," Francona said.

Coming up: Left-hander John Halama will make his second spring start on Sunday against the Pirates at 1:05 p.m. ET in Bradenton. Halama will be opposed by fellow southpaw Oliver Perez.

In his first start, Halama pitched two innings and allowing four hits and one run in a 5-3 loss to the Orioles on Monday.