| 26 March 2010
Here's a quick recap of the recent news from Fort Meyers:
WEEI's Full Count: "The Red Sox released left-handed pitcher Brian Shouse on Friday morning, according to a team source. The 41-year-old pitched in 10 games this spring, allowing just one run while posting a 0.96 ERA and striking out six while walking one. He also allowed eight hits and hit a batter."
Alan Embree better be awesome, 'cause Shouse was pitching well and it appears tha Embree's rerturn forced Shouse to opt-out in hopes of finding another team in need of an RP. While guessing how much chew Embree can stuff into one cheek is one of my favorite Red Sox drinking games, I wonder how much the 40 year-old lefty has left in the tank.
If Embree isn't the guy, my guess is that it's Joe Nelson. Nelson is third on the team in strikeouts with 12, trailing only Beckett and Lester - both starters. He says his success is based on an improved change-up that make his mediocre fastball seem, well, faster. That's great Joe, but I think most of us just enjoy having a guy with a "vulcan" grip on the squad.
Daisuke Matsuzaka made his spring debut yesterday, and pitched two solid innings without his arm falling off.Matsuzaka only threw 25 picthes, so he finished off his session in the bullpen and is expected to pitch three innings after Josh Beckett's start on Monday.
Wakefield started yesterday's game and made the Marlins looks silly through five before coughing up three runs in the 6th. Wake currently has the second best ERA of all the starters at 3.66. Lackey still hasn't allowed a run, but he's pitched just 9 innings to Wake 19.2... although he did get some work in during a minor league game earlier this week. If Wake can keep this up, it's going to be tough to send him to the bullpen in May over Buchholz and Matsuzaka...
Lastly, Dustin Pedroia will not play today and will rest his wrist for one more day. Our buddy Brian Macpherson of the Projo has the quotes from our favorite loud mouth:
"I got benched," Pedroia said. "I told Tito he looked like Corrado Soprano."
Pedroia took batting practice in the cage this morning and said his wrist felt OK.
"If this was the season and he didn't play me, it was going to get ugly," he said.
Pedroia did say he'll be in the lineup on Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles in Sarasota.
"I guarantee it," he said. "I'll be there -- with bells on."
Lester gets the nod today against the Blue Jays... I'm looking for a strong six innings.
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