Sox Catch Tampa Bay, Minor Additions: Ryan Shealy

Sox Catch Tampa Bay The Sox finally playing inspired baseball, the club has been rolling with a 14-5 record in June. Meanwhile, the Devil Rays have stagnated, posting just an 8-9 mark over that period. It has been a long time coming, but the Red Sox have finally drawn even at second place with in-division foe Tampa Bay. It’s difficult to do justice to how great of an accomplishment this is. A team that appeared dead in the water not one month ago has risen from the ashes back to contention -- all the while combating debilitating injuries and emergency call ups. Should Daisuke Matsuzaka and Josh Beckett, especially, come back strong from their injuries, the club could once again have the MLB’s best rotation. A 1-2-3 of Beckett, Jon Lester, and a surging Clay Buchholz would rival that of any in the league. John Lackey and Matsuzaka at 4 and 5 would make the Rays and Yankees green with envy. With Ellsbury in left and Hermida the fourth outfielder, the lineup will see a tremendous boost. The best is yet to come. Or is it?

Red Sox to call up Felix Doubront

Over at CBS Sports' MLB Facts and Rumors earlier today, I noted that the Red Sox seemed likely to call up Felix Doubront to start on Friday.

On one hand, it's great news that the Red Sox have developed yet another young lefty (22 years of age) who can step into the rotation. Even if Doubront can't crack the rotation over the next two years (and it will be mighty difficult for him to break past Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka and John Lackey), he'll be a fantastic trade chip and is young enough that he could step in with a bright career ahead of him once Matsuzaka becomes a free agent (after 2012).

On the flip side, I'm a little frustrated that the Red Sox acted so quickly to disabled Matsuzaka for what clearly appears to be "normal" forearm tightness. That said, I can't blame the team for acting so quickly and decisively based on Matsuzaka's past with injuries -- both in terms of how long it takes him to recover, but also in that Matsuzaka has been less than forthcoming about injuries. With Josh Beckett two weeks out, Doubront may be in line to get two starts, but the team may be able to jigger getting Matsuzaka back next week.

Injuries Mounting, Boof Bonser to the Rotation? Nava Who?

Who is Daniel Nava? The Sox have quite the interesting player on their hands. With injuries to outfielders Jacoby Ellsbury, Jeremy Hermida, and Mike Cameron forcing the BoSox to dig deep into the minors once again, the Sox may have caught lightning in a bottle for the second time this season. Darnell McDonald admirably filling in for Hermida and Cameron, the Sox promoted Daniel Nava to the bigs on Saturday to take over Josh Reddick's fourth outfielder spot. Like McDonald, Nava wasted no time endearing himself to fans -- connecting for a grand slam on the first pitch of his MLB career Saturday, leading the Sox to a 10-2 win over Philadelphia. Nava, 27, has had quite the journey to the Majors. Making his professional debut for the Chico Outlaws of the Golden Baseball League in 2007, Nava impressed the scouts with a bit of speed (18 SBs in 20 attempts), pop (12 home runs in 314 plate appearances), and plate discipline (48 BB : 42 Ks) while with Chico. Signed by the Sox in 2008 at the age of 25, Nava kept rolling with hi-A Lancaster. Slugging 10 homers in 379 plate appearances to go along with a very impressive .341/.424/.523 line, the outfielder’s plate discipline (43 BB : 70 K) carried over to affliated ball as well.

Dice-K hits the disabled list

Many reporters on Twitter all tweeted it at virtually the same time: Daisuke Matsuzaka has hit the disabled list with a right forearm strain. Scott Atchinson will take his place on the mound to start Saturday's game, so we're in for a long night of pitching.

Left-handed reliever Dustin Richardson, who strikes out a ton but walks a ton, has been recalled. It's possible, but doubtful that Josh Beckett could be ready to take Dice's next turn in the rotation.

I expect Atchinson will be farmed out after the game for another bullpen arm -- Michael Bowden and Fabio Castro are on the 40-man roster, so they're the most likely candidates. You would imagine Bowden or Boof Bonser would slot in the rotation for Matsuzaka's next start.

6/12 Online Seats Game Thread: Can Boston Bomb Blanton Too?

A day after the Boston Red Sox took the Phillies out to the yard to play yesterday. Today, Daisuke Matsuzaka will do his part against Joe Blanton, who has been struggling since his return.

6/7 Online Seats Game Thread: V-Mart Cowboys Up to Face Indians

The Boston Red Sox narrowly missed a series sweep of the Baltimore Orioles. Daisuke Matsuzaka will lead the team into Cleveland to take on the struggling Indians, who have been missing Victor Martinez, as V-Mart makes his first appearance back in Cleveland since last year's move.

Cautious Optimism But Lacking Something

The Red Sox offense is in good shape. The local nine is second in runs scored and OPS. The lineup has been legit even with Jeremy Hermida (649 OPS) and Darnell McDonald (746 OPS) getting 246 of the 1920 Red Sox at-bats or 12.8%. The other seven regulars are collectively performing as expected. When Mike Cameron and Jacoby Ellsbury take plate appearances from Hermida and McDonald, the Olde Towne Team should put up more crooked numbers.

On the pitching front, walks have been the issue. The health and return to form from Josh Beckett will reduce the number of free passes. If he replaces Tim Wakefield, the club will benefit even more since his style dictates not giving into hitters.

Is Matsuzaka still injured?

Although his skills are not ever going to let him be anything more than a number five pitcher, Daisuke Matsuzaka can still be worth the value of his deal if he can just stay healthy. In 2007 and 2008 he posted WAR over 3.2 and was worth nearly $15 million in free agent dollars those years.

5/27 Online Seats Game Thread: Boston Homeward Bound

After completing a clean sweep of the league leading Tampa Bay Rays, the Boston Red Sox might be a bit tempted to look past the fledgling Kansas City Royals, as they head home after a lengthy road trip.

Daisuke Rolling, Ellsbury Back, Colorado Catchers

Daisuke Rolling With all the issues the Red Sox rotation has faced this season, there is nothing better than to see Daisuke Matsuzaka stepping up into at the right time. Throwing a one-hitter in Philadelphia on Saturday, there has been some speculation that Daisuke may be taking that long-awaited leap to respectability. However, other than two stellar starts sandwiching his New York meltdown, there has been a little to be excited about this year. Daisuke just hasn't changed at all from years past to indicate that any sustainable change is in the works. His zone percentage at a career low (46.4 percent), his first-strike percentage largely unchanged (56.6 percent in 2010 v 59.5 percent, career), and his zone contact percentage in line with his career line (84.9 percent, 2010 v 84.2 percent, career), it seems we are dealing with the Daisuke of old again this season.