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May 12, 2008 »

Red Sox release Alvarez

PawSox manager Ron Johnson informed left-handed pitcher Abe Alvarez after Sunday's game in Pawtucket that he was being released. Alvarez was working out following PawSox' victory over Norfolk when he was called into the manager's office.

Originally selected by the Red Sox in the second round (49th overall) in the 2003 draft, Alvarez was 2-1 with a 6.46 ERA this season as a relief pitcher. The 25-year-old has been in the organization for six seasons and the one-time prospect has struggled the last few seasons.

The southpaw was originally a starter before he was moved to the bullpen after the All-Star break in 2007.

He was almost traded to the Colorado Rockies two years ago, but the deal fell through in the 11th hour. Ever since, it was obvious Alvarez wasn't happy and his performance showed that.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 7:33 PM | Permalink

Julio Lugo Out -- Mild Concussion

Embattled shortstop Julio Lugo is out of the lineup again tonight, a bit less dizzy but still able to return to the lineup.

Lugo suffered a mild concussion in a baseline collision during Friday night's game. Manager Terry Francona said Lugo was administered a CT scan, and while it didn't show anything major, Francona was told by the trainers that that didn't mean he hadn't suffered a mild concussion.

"His eyes were glassy looking, glazed over (on Saturday)," said Francona of Lugo. "He's a little better (today), a little clearer in the eyes."

When Lugo returns will be a question of when he feels better and when the medical staff clears him to play, said Francona.

-- Steven Krasner

Posted by Steven Krasner  at 5:22 PM | Permalink

Manny Ramirez Out -- Hamstring

Manny Ramirez is not in the starting lineup tonight because of a tight right hamstring.

The Sox' left fielder felt the hamstring tighten up on him when he hustled down the first-base line and beat the back end of a potential inning-ending double play, keeping alive a Red Sox rally.

Manager Terry Francona said that in watching the play develop he thought he saw Ramirez tighten up a little as he got to the bag and past it. But it wasn't until Ramirez called him early today that he knew Ramirez wouldn't be able to start.

So Jacoby Ellsbury will move to left field in an outfield that also will include Coco Crisp in center and J.D. Drew in right. Ramirez is getting treatment on his leg.

Ramirez is in a bit of a slump. Over his last 13 games Ramirez is batting a mere .176 (9 for 51), dropping his overall average from what was then a league-leading .370 to .301. He has only one homer, one double and four RBI over that stretch.

-- Steven Krasner

Posted by Steven Krasner  at 5:16 PM | Permalink

Starting Lineups, May 11

RED SOX

Ellsbury lf
Pedroia 2b
Ortiz dh
Youkilis 1b
Lowell 3b
Drew rf
Crisp cf
Cash c
Cora ss

Wakefield p

TWINS

Gomez cf
Tolbert 2b
Mauer c
Morneau 1b
Cuddyer rf
Monroe dh
Young lf
Lamb 3b
Everett ss

Blackburn p

-- Steven Krasner

Posted by Steven Krasner  at 5:14 PM | Permalink

Cora Activated; Lowrie Optioned; Casey in Limbo

Alex Cora (elbow) has been activated from the disabled list and is in the starting lineup for tonight's game against the Twins.

Cora will be playing shortstop in place of Julio Lugo, who has a mild concussion, suffered in a baseline collision during Friday night's game.

To make room for Cora, the Sox optioned rookie infielder Jed Lowrie to Pawtucket.

Lowrie at least went back to the minors with a smile on his face and a memento in his pocket. Lowrie went 3 for 4 on Saturday night, including his first major league homer. Called up on April 10 when Mike Lowell was placed on the DL, Lowrie batted .310 in 42 at-bats spread over 17 games.

First baseman Sean Casey (hip) also is eligible to be activated from the disabled list today, but the Sox are holding off on that move. The Sox have 13 pitches and are likely to option Craig Hansen back to Pawtucket to make room for Casey but they may need the extra pitcher tonight because Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon have been used a lot lately and manager Terry Francona said he wants to stay away from them tonight.

"You're never in a real hurry to lose pitching," said Francona. "You have to do things in a manner that makes sense. We talked to Casey to make sure he knew what we were doing."

-- Steven Krasner

Posted by Steven Krasner  at 4:24 PM | Permalink

Sox Trade Corey

The Red Sox traded reliever Bryan Corey to the pitching-starved San Diego Padres for a player to be named and cash considerations.

Corey had two stints with Boston, twice being designated for assignment and ultimately re-signed to a Pawtucket contract. Corey was 0-0 with a 10.50 earned-run average in seven appearances totaling six innings for Boston. The right-hander was with the PawSox when the trade was announced.

Boston manager Terry Francona, who championed Corey when he had the opportunity, was happy to see he's back in the big leagues.

"It was tough for him. He was the odd man out here. Now he's in the big leagues. Good for him. You don't want to lose pitching, but you want the best for guys like that. This is a good day for him," said Francona.

-- Steven Krasner

Posted by Steven Krasner  at 4:21 PM | Permalink

Colon: The Day After

Red Sox pitcher Bartolo Colon was sitting at his locker in the PawSox' clubhouse this morning as if he never left McCoy Stadium after his solid three-inning outing on Saturday night.

The veteran right-hander allowed one run on four hits with no walks and two strikeouts against the Norfolk Tides after being activated from the disabled list with an oblique injury. He threw 49 pitches (36 strikes).

Colon will start for the PawSox again on May 15 at Buffalo. He's slated to work 4 or 5 innings with a pitch count of 75.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 1:52 PM | Permalink