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Pregame Notes, Sept. 1

-- The rosters could be expanded today, and the Red Sox have taken advantage by calling up six players from Pawtucket, including two starters tonight against the Orioles.
Brandon Moss, who spent Aug. 6-8 with the Sox in three games in Anaheim against the Angels (1 for 7), is in left field. Right-hander Clay Buchholz, who started at home against the Angels on Aug. 17 and was the winning pitcher, is on the mound tonight.
Also called up was outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, veteran shortstop Royce Clayton and relievers Bryan Corey and Craig Breslow.

-- J.D. Drew, who fouled a pitch off his right foot in his second-inning at-bat Friday night, is out of action for a while because of a contusion.

-- There is no update as to when Manny Ramirez (oblique) might be able to return.

-- Tim Wakefield, who was scratched from his start Friday night because of a sore back, said this afternoon that he fully expects to make his next scheduled start, Thursday in Baltimore.
Manager Terry Francona said the Sox will know more Monday, when Wakefield is expected to play catch. The knuckleballer has a side session slated for Tuesday, if his back will allow.

-- The Sox' outfield corps was depleted by injuries Friday night, so after Coco Crisp hit the wall in an unsuccessful attempt to catch a fly ball the Sox center fielder knew there was no way he could leave the game.
"When I went out there I said, 'Are you okay?' He said, 'Does it matter?' He was right. I appreciate that. He has a really good understanding of his responsibility. We appreciate that mentality, for sure," said Francona.

-- Francona was asked whether he had received a phone call and an apology from Major League Baseball for their fashion police's faux pas of checking to see if he was wearing his game jersey underneath a pullover during a game at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday.
He said he didn't want to make any more of the matter than already had been made. He did say he had not received a call, but said he had made a call to express his displeasure and during the course of that conversation he was given an apology. Francona also stressed he wasn't upset with Bob Watson or Matt McKendry of MLB.

-- Steven Krasner

Posted by Steven Krasner  at 4:27 PM | Permalink