Weekend Update: Penny, Lugo, Masterson, Youkilis

Written by Rob Munstis | 09 March 2009

Brad Penny has been throwing on flat ground for almost a week now and had a positive 35-pitch session on Saturday. John Farrell says they're focusing on getting Penny to use his legs more by staying on flat ground. While fighting through the shoulder injury last year, Penny developed a bad habit of shortening his stride to ease the pain while throwing... but is further damaged his shoulder.

Hitting Coach Dave Magadan says Julio Lugo will hit with more power this year thanks to an adjustment in his stance and a few extra pounds of muscle. Personally, I could care less about Lugo's homer run totals... I'd rather see more shots to the gap that he can turn into doubles and triples with his speed - I don't think Lugo should be aiming for the seats too much.

The Sox played the Rays twice this weekend. They were spanked on Saturday 15-7, but bounced back on Sunday with a 8-2 win. Highlights and lowlights from Saturday's loss include Jeff Bailey's 2 for 4 day, Jon Van Every and George Kottaras home runs and another mediocre oputing for Tim Wakefield: 3 IP, 4 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 3 K.

On Sunday Justin Masterson got the start and looked very sharp, holding the Rays 1 hit and no runs over three innings. He also had three strikeouts. Jonathan Papelbon allowed two hits in an inning of work, but also had trhee strikeouts... and Junichi Tazawa looked solid allowing a run, but fanning four in two innings of work. Van Every Went deep again, as did Nick Green and Zach Daeges. Julio Lugo went 3 for 3 in the lead off spot. And Lars Anderson was 1 for 3 withan RBI.

Lugo has looked great so far this spring, hitting .533 (8-15) with two doubles, three RBI and three runs scored. He told Ron Borges that battling for a starting job at short stop with Jed Lowrie has motivated him:

"I definitely don't like it (fighting for the starting job)," Lugo said before the game, "but I really have no say on that. I'm a player here and I've got to do whatever they ask. Sometimes you need an incentive. My incentive is to wear that uniform every day. I'm happy to be the starting shortstop, and that's what I'm working for. I know I'll be playing somewhere. Things will take care of itself as long as I feel good.

"Definitely I'm not going to be happy (if Lowrie starts). I don't think I'm at a stage of my career where I want to be a utility man or a backup. We're going to have to see at the end of the spring how things are going to work out. I think (Lowrie is) a good player. I respect him. He's a hard worker. But I just came here to be me, play when I can and worry about myself. Physically I feel good. Mentally I feel good."

Jed Lowrie is better equipped to be the utility infielder, but he is not making Francona's decision an easy noe. Lowrie is hitting .389 (6-16) so far with two doubles and four RBI of his own. Both Lugo and Lowrie have accumulated ten total bases and have only K-ed twice.

In WBC news, Kevin Youkilis hit a two-run homer in a 15-6 rout of Venezuela on Sunday. Youk was 2 for 6 on the day with 4 runs scored and 2 RBI... Pedroia was 1 for 6 with 2 RBI. Adam Dunn and Ryan Braun also went deep. On Saturday, USA squeaked by Canada (6-5) when Jason Bay recorded the final out, flying out with a man on second. Pedroia lead of that game and went 1 for 5. You was 1 for 2 with 2 walsk, 2 runs scored and an RBI.

Youk has homered in both games and is hitting .375 in the WBC so far... a great sign.

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