Ryan Westmoreland, who underwent surgery to remove a cavernous malformation in his brain last month, is currently undergoing treatment at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston. The club released a statement on Monday saying that the 19-year-old "has been making steady progress and is in great spirits." Westmoreland visited the Red Sox clubhouse before Sunday night's game and watched the game with his parents from general manager Theo Epstein's private box. He's expected to continue physical and occupational therapy at the Spaulding facility.
The Red Sox are expected to announce a contract extension for Josh Beckett in a press conference scheduled for Monday at 3pm EST. The two sides have been throwing together a four-year deal worth a confirmed $68 million. Beckett, who turns 30 in May, had a disappointing 2010 debut on Sunday night against the division rival Yankees, but he's been stellar since donning a Boston uniform and will stay atop the Red Sox' rotation through at least 2014 as part of the soon-to-be inked extension.
Daisuke Matsuzaka (neck, back) is scheduled to start a minor league game for Triple-A Pawtucket on April 10.
If all goes well in the first start, Dice-K will make two more appearances and then report to Boston. He should be starting big league games by the beginning of May, but that of course is contingent on him avoiding even the slightest of setbacks. And he hasn't quite mastered that art.
Red Sox placed RHP Junichi Tazawa on the 60-day disabled list with elbow surgery. Tazawa is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery next Tuesday and will miss the remainder of 2010. He'll hope to be back pitching by this time next year.
Red Sox placed RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka on the 15-day disabled list with a neck strain. If he misses more than the minimum, it won't be much more. Matsuzaka pitched four innings of relief yesterday against the Nationals, so he's clearly working on his stamina more than recuperating from his latest injury. He'll return before too long and the Red Sox will have to decide if they're going to use a six-man rotation or find a new use for either Clay Buchholz or Tim Wakefield.
Kevin Youkilis returned to action Saturday and hit a two-run homer as part of Boston's 6-1 victory over the Nationals. Youkilis missed a couple of days with a bruised knee. He ends the spring with a .389 average and two homers in 54 at-bats.
Daisuke Matsuzaka allowed one run in four innings of relief Saturday against the Nationals. Matsuzaka will go on the disabled list tomorrow with his neck and back injuries, but it seems like he's not far away from helping the Red Sox, perhaps as part of a six-man rotation.
Red Sox optioned OF Josh Reddick to Triple-A Pawtucket.
The Red Sox kept Reddick with the team for an extra day just to ensure that Jeremy Hermida's hamstring was well enough for Opening Day. Reddick, 23, batted .404/.426/.702 with two home runs and nine RBI in 57 at-bats this spring.
Red Sox optioned INF Tug Hulett to Triple-A Pawtucket.
Hulett was impressive this spring, batting .286/.345/.510 and led the team with 16 RBI, however he was doubtful to crack the roster given the presence of Mike Lowell. Hulett or Kevin Frandsen will likely be the first infielders to get a look if the Red Sox are finally able to unload him.
