Lackey Hits the DL

According to Michael Vega of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox made a pretty significant roster prior to tonight’s game.…

After Aceves scratched, Atchinson makes spot start

The Pawtucket Red Sox’ season opener Thursday night was notable not only for who played but also for who did…

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.

Bullpen positives and negatives

Look on the bright side. When it comes to the Sox best relief pitchers, all are home grown.

Yet, outside of Jonathan Papelbon, Daniel Bard and Manny Delcarmen there has not been a lot to like about the Sox bullpen this year. You probably had the feeling, as I did, heading into the season that the relief corps would be somewhat of a problem when the big decision heading out of Fort Myers was whether to carry Scott Schoeneweis or Scott Atchison.

Into the second week of June, the Sox bullpen has an ERA of 4.24. Compare that to the strong relief that a team like the Padres are getting (2.70 ERA) or or the Rays (3.23) and you see just how far off the pace Boston has fallen in an area that presumably was a strength coming into the season and was a relative strength last year (3.80 ERA).

Bigger problems than stolen bases

Giving up a stolen base can sure seem like a big deal and when you give up nine of them you would think that is a huge number. It isn't something you want to give up every night, but it's not as big of a problem as our pitching staff's inability to not give up the free pass. A stolen base has an average value of about 0.18 runs. That means every time a runner takes a base he increases his teams chances to score by that amount. That isn't much and when you take into account the potential to lose 0.43 value if you are caught it's a pretty dangerous wager. In the case of the Rangers off of Tim Wakefield though on Tuesday night there wasn't much danger of being caught and only value to gain. It was an easy choice for them and gave them approximately 1.62 runs in value. That is no amount to ignore and is worth slightly more than the average home run, which is worth about 1.4.

Sox Sign Embree, What to Do With Boof, and the Watch List

Sox Sign Alan Embree Just after noon yesterday, the Sox officially agreed to a minor league deal with veteran lefty reliever Alan Embree. Embree, who last pitched for the Sox in 2005, comes off a shaky 2009 season that saw him struggle in limited duty, posting an even BB:K ratio (12 BB, 12 K in 24.2 IP) on his way to a 5.29 FIP. Still, Embree offers depth to a team searching for a second lefty reliever to complement Okajima. Though LOOGY specialist Brian Shouse has performed well over his long look in camp (7.1 IP, 5 K, 1 BB; most IP of any Sox reliever), Embree’s versatility and Shouse’s code-blue platoon splits may give Embree the leg up in the competition.

Boston’s bullpen competition takes an interesting turn

The Red Sox's bullpen search has taken on an interesting look these days.

With Tim Wakefield virtually certain to open the season as No. 5 starter and Dice-K on the shelf, there are two spots open. The favorites are Boof Bonser and Brian Shouse (the latter serving as LOOGY), but there are doubts about both, apparently.

The Red Sox are talking to Alan Embree about a return as they are reportedly unhappy with Shouse's production.

As for Bonser, word is that the Diamondbacks and Cubs are both interested in acquiring him. Bonser is a starter, but Boston is trying him out as a reliever, where it is thought he will have more success. He would also function as a longman. There's no indication the Red Sox are interested in dealing him, but it's possible the Sox would do so given a nice return. They have Scott Atchinson pushing Bonser for a bullpen spot.

That said, pitching depth is a canard. It's more likely that Bonser stays and Atchinson goes to Triple-A than it is the Boof being traded.

Sox Sign Scott Atchison Away from Japan

The Sox signed Scott Atchison from Japan this morning, returning the former major leaguer to North America. Atchison received a one-year contract, with two club options. Atchison last pitched in the MLB in 2007 for the Giants, posting a 4.11 ERA and 4.80 FIP in 30.2 innings. Now 33, Atchison doesn't seem to provide more than middle relief depth for the Sox, though he has had his moments as a major leaguer, including a career 4.13 FIP ERA in 68.0 innings, including 70 strikeouts and 25 walks. In his last foray into the MLB, Atchison featured a 90-91 mph fastball, while mixing in a slider, curve, and occasional change up.