His current 5 strikeouts and no walks has also looked good. His spring numbers looked good for strikeouts and walks as well, but with a minor league option available and Dennys Reyes having contract requirements they went with Reyes.
That obviously turned out horribly, but Okajima has made a strong start to 2011 and earned a shot at the lefty job. At the same time Doubront has pitched two games this weekend and not looked impressive. He probably would not be available for the Patriots day game.
This gives the Red Sox a left hander who will probably see some time with Daisuke Matsuzaka on the mound today and unlikely to make it through six innings. Okajima will no longer have a long leash and if the decline seen in 2010 continue the team will go back to Doubront.