Catching up on Red Sox News

It was a slow news week in Red Sox Spring Training for the most part and the Bruins appear to have been very busy during that time. Luckily though, after a week there is enough Red Sox news to fill a blog entry.

First up, we had the first televised NESN game this past Saturday (well we had one on Thursday too, but it was the Met's feed). Unfortunately, NESN had "technical difficulties" into the 7th inning leaving us with an bad audio feed and two commentators who are more suited to TV work than radio work. By all accounts, it was a good game though, with Clay pitching well and a spectacular triple play to end the whole thing.

I know I was not the only one who was looking forward to watching Josh Beckett pitch on Sunday against the Twins and hopes were high that NESN would have no technical difficulties for the game. NESN figured out their problems but Josh got the flu that has been going around the clubhouse and was scratched from his start. Gordon Edes says in his blog over at ESPN that Josh had consumed several hard boiled eggs that morning before becoming ill. I would hate to have eaten many hard boiled eggs and then gotten the flu. Nevertheless, the Red Sox won the game putting them one game away from winning the coveted Mayor's Cup.

In other Josh Beckett news this week we have heard more reports that he and the Red Sox are nearing a deal and hope to have it in place by Opening Day. As much as I am hoping for that, I can only think back to how often we heard a deal was almost in place for JayBay last year and we all know how that worked out. So until I see Josh on my TV screen assuring me that he will be playing for the Red Sox beyond this year, I'm remaining skeptical.

This week the Red Sox send a number of players off to the minor leagues, including Casey Kelly, Jose Iglesias, and Lars Anderson. It will be exciting to hear how they all do this year and I look forward to seeing them next year at Spring Training. Pete Abraham has a nice article about it here.

Mike Lowell is anticipated to play 1st base today against Baltimore. The whole Mike Lowell situation is so awkward. I wish it would just resolve itself but there is no logical way that could happen. Frankly, I would rather see Mike go to another team where he can get regular playing time and end his career in dignity rather than go through this farce. However, with Ortiz batting the way he has been in Spring Training maybe the Red Sox should keep Lowell around as DH insurance.

Finally, please keep Red Sox prospect Ryan Westmoreland in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow as he undergoes brain surgery for a “cavernous malformation."