"Eighteen days remain before Red Sox [team stats] pitchers and catchers must report to spring training, the club is "still talking" to free agent right-handers Edwin Jackson and Roy Oswalt, a major league source said yesterday.

But general manager Ben Cherington said it's "unlikely" the Red Sox will sign either pitcher.

"We wouldn't rule out adding a starter, but I think it's unlikely at this point," Cherington said last night at Worcester Tech High School before holding a town hall meeting that is scheduled to air tonight on NESN. "We're going to keep looking for ways to improve the team, including the pitching staff, but I wouldn't expect any major changes between now and the report date.""