Boston Red Sox ace Curt Schilling, after a stint as a closer following ankle surgery, will make his long-awaited return to the starting rotation when he takes the mound Thursday in Kansas City. Red Sox manager Terry Francona and general manager Theo Epstein made the decision Saturday before Boston's game against the Los Angeles Angels. The move came a day after Schilling's best performance in relief, Schilling pitched two innings, retiring all six batters he faced while striking out four, in the Red Sox' 4-3 extra-inning victory over the Angels on Friday. He had been mostly unreliable out of the pen up to that point. The righthander's return will allow Tim Wakefield, who suffered a minor injury to his right ankle during his last start, some extra time to recover. Also, the return of Keith Foulke -- Boston's regular closer who has been out of action with a knee injury -- is on the horizon. Foulke is expected to begin a rehab assignment within the next week. Schilling had major surgery on his right ankle in the offseason and his start Thursday will be his first since April 23, after which he went on the disabled list with persistent pain and weakness in the ankle. After a rehab assignment, he became the Red Sox' closer on July 14. In 23 appearances this season, 20 of which have been in relief, Schilling has posted a 5-5 and nine saves but his earned run average has ballooned to 6.37.