John Lackey will start Friday against the Reds, Jim Bowden of ESPN.com reports.

Lackey will start Friday against the Reds, Jim Bowden of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis:

Lackey's frustration seemed to boiled over his last time out, as he was ejected for arguing balls and strikes after giving up two runs in just two innings against Cincinnati. After Lackey admitted to experiencing somewhat of a "dead arm" sensation, manager Mike Matheny decided to skip him one time through the rotation, but the right-hander will return to oppose David Holmberg in Friday's series opener.