Main page
« March 14, 2008
March 16, 2008 »

Beckett will throw Sunday

Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett will return to action as the ailing right-hander is scheduled to play catch on flat ground on Sunday morning.

Beckett has been sidelined with back spasms for a week. He was scratched from his scheduled start on March 8 after throwing just a few warmup pitches and he’s expected to throw at 60 feet at City of Palms Park today.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 4:55 PM | Permalink

Wakefield speaks

By Joe McDonald
Journal Sports Writer

FORT MYERS, Fla. _ Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield isn’t too thrilled about the team’s decision to release Doug Mirabelli, but the knuckleball pitcher broke his silence yesterday and said he’s turned the page.

The Red Sox gave Wakefield’s personal batterymate his unconditional release on Thursday to the surprise of every player in the clubhouse.

“Shocked,” said Wakefield yesterday morning at City of Palms Park. “Very shocked. I don’t know what else to say about it. . . I’m saddened by the whole situation, but it’s a business decision on their part. I feel like (Kevin) Cash can do a really good job, but I’m going to really miss Doug, not only his professionalism and the way he handled me, but also his friendship.”

Wakefield wouldn’t elaborate on his conversation with Mirabelli, but did say his former catcher was also caught off guard by the transaction.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 1:43 PM | Permalink

Today's lineup

REDS
Corey Patterson, cf
Ryan Freel, lf
Jay Bruce, rf
Joey Votto, dh
Scott Hatteberg, 1b
Jeff Keppinger, ss
Jolbert Cabrera, 2b
Paul Bako, c
Jerry Hairston, 3b
Homer Bailey, SP

RED SOX
Julio Lugo, ss
Kevin Youkilis, 1b
David Ortiz, DH
Manny Ramirez, lf
Mike Lowell, 3b
J.D. Drew, rf
Jason Varitek, c
Dustin Pedroia, 2b
Brandon Moss, cf
Jon Lester, SP

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 12:52 PM | Permalink

Dice-K's a dad!

Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka and his wife, Tomoyo, welcomed a baby boy into the world this morning. Both mom and son are doing well. The child, whose name is not being released, weighed 6 pounds, 10 ounces. He's the couple's second child. Dice-K is expected to be back in camp in the next couple of days and now it appears he'll be able to make the trip to Japan with the Sox next week.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 12:40 PM | Permalink

Good morning from Fort Myers

My wife just called to tell me it's snowing in Rhode Island. When I got off the phone I had to laugh because I've been down here just over a week now and today is the best day of weather to date. It's sunny and very warm at City of Palms Park where the Red Sox are working on the drills this morning.

A couple of quick notes from a quiet morning here:

Terry Francona said injured center fielder Coco Crisp (groin) is getting frustrated with his lack of baseball activity, which is a good thing.

Julio Lugo (back) is back in the lineup today for the first time in about 12 days. He's scheduled to play a few innings today and will DH tomorrow.

Josh Beckett (back) is getting better not worse, according to Francona.

That's pretty much it this morning. Enjoy the snow!

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 10:33 AM | Permalink