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May 21, 2008
The fight for jobs with the Boston Red Sox is about to become a major benefit for the Pawtucket Red Sox.
When Terry Francona held his usual pre-game meeting with the media this afternoon, three of the players he talked about are not on his team right now. Brandon Moss, Justin Masterson and Julian Tavarez all are expected to be with the PawSox when red-hot Pawtucket (winners of 10 of its last 13) opens an eight-game homestand tomorrow night against Rochester.
Here’s what is up with them:
BRANDON MOSS
The rookie outfielder/first baseman is in Fenway today. Some 18 days after undergoing an emergency appendectomy, he is on the field as the Sox take batting practice. He will receive one final check from doctors tonight before heading to Pawtucket.
``He’s made some kind of recovery,’’ Francona said. ``It’s pretty cool. He’s all jumping around.’’
``I feel great,’’ Moss said before heading out.
Moss had 15 at-bats over the weekend in Florida and played two games at first base and one in the outfield.
On May 2, Moss hit a home run and threw a runner out at the plate as the Sox beat Tampa Bay. The next night he was undergoing surgery.
``At first I didn’t think (the recovery) was going to be as quick as it was, because it was really sore the first two or three days,’’ he recalled. ``Then, they told me the more I did, with moderation, the better it would get and the quicker it would get better.
``I started doing things. Even though it hurt, I kept doing it and it got better a lot faster. The progression was really good.’’
With Boston healthier than it has been in some time, Moss is not even sure what will happen after his rehab in Pawtucket.
``I don’t know what they’re going to do,’’ he said. ``I might stay there. I don’t even know. Whatever happens happens. I’m just glad to be able to play again.’’
JUSTIN MASTERSON
Francona spoke about the possibility of the young righthander pitching in relief in Boston later this season. For now, though, it appears all but certain Masterson will be in Pawtucket’s starting rotation for the time being.
``Yeah, he could probably help us in the pen,’’ Francona responded to a question about using Masterson in relief. ``I think the starters’ innings are really, really beneficial (right now). Where that takes him the rest of the year, I don’t know.’’
Masterson pitched the Sox to victory over Kansas City Tuesday night, then was told that rather than going back to Portland, he was being assigned to Pawtucket. It is expected he will start for the PawSox Sunday or Monday.
JULIAN TAVAREZ
The veteran reliever cleared waivers and has accepted assignment to Pawtucket. It is not sure how long that will last or even what role he will fill for the PawSox.
When Francona was asked about the situation, he said he was not aware of what would be done, that it would be an organizational decision.
``If I said something I’d be making it up. I’d rather not do that,’’ he said. But he did make a prediction when asked if he was surprised Tavarez had cleared waivers.
``You know what, I never try to manage another team, let alone be a general manager,’’ Francona said. ``I think I feel better saying he is going to pitch in the big leagues. He’ll be in the big leagues (before the season is over).’’
Posted by Paul Kenyon 
at 5:19 PM to Projo Sox Crawl
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