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March 17, 2008
It's another beautiful day in Florida. The Red Sox just arrived in Tampa for their game against the Yankees at Legends Field.
With the amount of media outlets here today, one might think it was a regular-season game. Francona just finished his daily scrum with the local guys and actually had some news this morning.
Francona announced that Dice-K will officially be the team's Opening Day starter in Japan. Jon Lester will pitch the other regular-season game against the A's over there. Tim Wakefield and Clay Buchholz will start the two exhibition games.
Ailing center fielder Coco Crisp (groin) will play for the PawSox today in a rehab appearance. He's scheduled to get in at least four at-bats. Francona said this morning that Crisp had a good morning and now there's a chance he could make the trip to Japan. It's also possible he could play in the team's final spring training game in Florida on Wednesday against the Blue Jays.
Pitcher Josh Beckett (back) played long toss this morning at 120 feet. Francona said the right-hander felt good. Beckett, who will not travel to Japan, will likely make a rehab start for the PawSox in Florida.
After the birth of his second child over the weekend, Dice-K returned to the spring training facility this morning and threw 58-pitch side session in preparation for his start in Japan.
Posted by Joe McDonald 
at 11:24 AM | Permalink
