So many decisions for the Sox this week. Although part of me knows they will be carefully made, and will be accompanied by personal discussions with each player before announcements, this team seems so buttoned down I half expected the decisions to be posted when I turned on the computer this morning.
Here’s what I expected to see:
Daisuke Matsuzaka’s arm will be shut down for at least a week and he will be placed on the DL until after the ASB, with a slow rehab in Florida and through Portland and Pawtucket, to regain strength and command.
John Smoltz will be activated against the Marlins, and will be on a pitch count of 80.
Wakefield, Penny & Smoltz will face the Marlins. Lester, Beckett and Wake will face the Braves.
Future bullpen star Daniel Bard will be sent to Pawtucket specifically to work on command issues identified over his past several games. Lefty Hunter Jones will be recalled during this time, as a situational lefty and alternative for middle relief considering the pitch count of J. Smoltz
.
Kevin Youkilis will not play Tuesday in order to provide a second day off. Mark Kotsay will play 1b in his stead, who will get some needed AB’s. If needed, Nick Green has experience at 1b.
Jacoby Ellsbury will return to the leadoff position, and Pedroia (after 2 days off) to the # 2 spot. Jacoby appears ready for the pressure of this role, and Dustin would benefit from a drop in the order.
The Tuesday lineup will be Ellsbury, Pedroia, Drew, Bay, Lowell, Ortiz, Kotsay, Kottaras, Green. Wakefield.
Jed Lowrie will begin rehab games this week.
No trades are imminent for the Red Sox. With Lowrie returning, Papi rebounding, Daisuke on the DL, and Smoltz arriving from Pawtucket, there is no need for this 1st place team to consider trades until the deadline approaches and needs for the stretch run, if any, are made clear.
Gotta love this team. The best in the world? Not yet, but getting close.