NEW YORK — The Boston Red Sox are talking to Baltimore about a trade for Javy Lopez, hoping the former All-Star could take over as their full-time catcher while Jason Varitek recovers from a knee injury.

Varitek had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and was expected to start rehabilitation right away. The Red Sox have not given an indication of when their captain might return.

At 35, Lopez is in the final season of a $22.5 million, three-year contract he signed as a free agent with the Orioles in December 2003.