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May 18, 2008
The Red Sox this morning announced that Justin Masterson will start Tuesday against Kansas City, and a day later, will return to Portland, replaced on the roster by Bartolo Colon, who will make his Red Sox debut Wednesday.
Masterson, in effect, will take the spot vacated by Clay Buchholz (DL-finger) while Colon, with an extra day of rest, will pitch so that Daisuke Matsuzaka doesn't have to pitch on short rest. Matsuzaka would have been slated for Wednesday, but after Friday's rainout, pitched yesterday and would have been going on three days' rest.
The expectation is that Colon will remain in the rotation with Buchholz sidelined.
Manager Terry Francona, acknowledging that Masterson has been cuffed around in his last few starts for Double A Portland, said the pitcher's mistake has been leaving balls up in the zone late in games.
The club is awaiting the arrival of Chris Smith, who was in Scranton with Pawsox Saturday night.
Manager Terry Francona said Smith, who has battled some arm injuries in the past, has regained his velocity and still has a good changeup. He's both started and relieved for Pawtucket this season, ``but since going to the bullpen, has been really good,'' said Francona.
Smith will probably be with the Sox for just today and Monday, giving the Sox an additional reliever while Hideki Okajima (left wrist) has some down time.
``We wanted to stay away from (Okajima Saturday),'' said Francona. ``We might stay today, too. We just think it's in his best interest. But (Saturday, with a doubleheader) was a tough day to stay away from him.''
J.D. Drew is out of the lineup, with Coco Crisp in center and Jacoby Ellsbury in right.
``We're just mixing and matching,'' said Francona. ``J.D. played both games (Saturday) and we're trying to keep everyone feeling good about their legs.''
Outfielder Brandon Moss, who underwent an emergency appendectomy a few weeks ago, will get some at-bats in extended spring training Monday and Tuesday, then join the Pawsox in mid-week.
``He's ready to go,'' said Francona, who added that veteran outfielder Bobby Kielty (broken hand) remains at home in California.
Immediately after the game, Francona is set to leave for Philadelphia where Monday morning, he'll attend his son Nick's college graduation at the University of Pennsylvania.
Posted by Sean McAdam 
at 11:21 AM | Permalink
