Sox & Dogs

Left-handed pitching prospect Felix Doubront is done in his Double-A debut in Portland. Meanwhile, in Oakland, the Red Sox have placed shortstop Jed Lowrie on the disabled list with a sprained left wrist. Doubront pitched 4 1/3 innings (2 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 HBP, 7 K) Monday night for the Sea Dogs.

At 6 p.m., it should be about 51 degrees in Portland. Balmy for April. So the conditions should be fine for the Portland Sea Dogs tp open their season at Hadlock Field.

The Portland Sea Dog made the expected announcement that Junichi Tazawa will be the starting pitched in Thursday's season-opener against Connecticut, at Hadlock Field at 6 p.m.

Josh Beckett looked like he may never lose ... Dustin Pedroia hit the second pitch he saw out of the park ... Jason Varitek is swinging like he means it. What does it mean? It means that Boston is 1-0, with 161 games to go.

Welcome to Fenway Park, where the grace is green, the atmosphere light, and batting practice is going on right now. The Red Sox are working out here, before Monday's season-opener.

Justin Masterson put in his work in a minor league game (4 2/3 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 6 K, 0 runs) Thursday. The Red Sox continue to say his status (starter or reliever) is not known, while they make sure Brad Penny is ready to start the season.

All four Red Sox pitchers used in Monday's exhibition game had pitched in Portland last year: Justin Masterson (3 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 K) Daniel Bard (2 IP, 2 H, BB, 2 K) Michael Bowden (3 IP, 4 H, ER, 3 K) Hunter Jones (1 IP, H, K)

The Boston Red Sox released a statement late Saturday night that second baseman Dustin Pedroia has been diagnosed with a "minor strain" in his lower left abdominal area. He will be held out of baseball activity for a few days.

Red Sox vs. Yankees. Does it get any bigger than this? Well, yes it does. ... like when the games actually count.

By now you have heard the Manny spin. The man who wanted a four-year, $100-million deal, "settled" for two years at $45-million. (Boston had two $20-million option years with Manny Ramirez, but Ramirez wanted more and quit on his teammates to get out of the contract)