Jed Lowrie (knee) is hoping to return to the Triple-A Pawtucket Friday.
Lowrie was drilled in the knee by a pitch last week and had to sit out several rehab games. "The ball hit me right where the hamstring tendons connect to the knee," he said. "The bruise is gone, but there’s still a calcium deposit and it’s kind of hardening up. The more I can break it down by running and doing some agility drills, the better it’ll be. I’m hoping I can get back (in the lineup tonight) as the (designated hitter)." He's still hoping to return before the All-Star break.
Source: Boston Herald Jul. 3 - 9:44 am et

Daisuke Matsuzaka will head to Fort Myers, Florida on Friday to begin a conditioning and shoulder-strengthening program.
The Red Sox will treat Matsuzaka as if he's just beginning spring training, and that may be exactly what he needs. Dice-K was clearly thrown out of whack by his participation in the World Baseball Classic, where he gained MVP honors for a second time. In eight starts this year, he is 1-5 with an 8.23 ERA.
Source: Boston Herald Jul. 3 - 9:22 am et

Jonathan Papelbon took over as Boston's all-time saves leader after pitching a scoreless 11th inning Wednesday in the Red Sox's 6-5 win over the Orioles.
The Red Sox, who blew a 10-1 lead after a rain delay Tuesday, overcame a 5-1 deficit in the ninth to win today. The Red Sox went ahead in the 11th when Julio Lugo singled in Jacoby Ellsbury, and Papelbon, pitching on a third straight day for the first time all year, finished the Orioles with his 20th save of 2009 and 133rd since debuting, moving him past Bob Stanley into the franchise lead. Jul. 1 - 5:16 pm et

Jason Bay fanned all five times he was up Wednesday and finished the series against the Orioles 0-for-15 with nine strikeouts.
Bay wasn't even facing a strikeout pitcher in Brad Bergesen; the rest of the Red Sox struck out four times in 42 plate appearances. Bay hit just .230/.301/.400 in June, though he drove in 20 runs in 25 games anyway. He'll like snap out of it soon enough. Jul. 1 - 5:09 pm et

Red Sox agreed to terms with first round pick OF Reymond Fuentes.
Fuentes, selected 28th overall in June's first-year player draft, was handed a $1.13 million signing bonus. He'll join Fort Myers of the Gulf Coast League. Jul. 1 - 3:28 pm et

Jed Lowrie is headed back to Boston to have his bruised left knee examined by joint specialist Dr. Scott Waugh.
Lowrie had been rehabbing at Triple-A Pawtucket, but was plunked in the knee by a pitch last week and hasn't seen a drop in swelling. The shortstop didn't appear in Tuesday night's game and the Red Sox figured it's time to get a real diagnosis on the injury. "It’s slowed his progress down, because he can’t play," manager Terry Francona said. Nick Green will continue picking up the majority of starts at short for the Red Sox.
Source: Boston Globe Jul. 1 - 12:16 pm et

John Smoltz allowed a run over four innings as part of a no-decision against the Orioles on Tuesday night.
Smoltz looked much better tonight than he did in his debut, holding the Orioles to just three hits while walking one and fanning two. The only run scored on a Felix Pie triple in the third inning. He threw 34 of 52 pitches for strikes, but interestingly only threw first pitch strikes to seven of 15 batters. A rain delay of one hour and 11 minutes ruined any chance at a win. He has a favorable start against the Athletics next. Jul. 1 - 12:47 am et

Kevin Youkilis was 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in a wild loss to the Orioles on Tuesday night.
Youkilis now has a .317/.433/.588 line with 13 homers and 45 RBI in 221 at-bats this season. With a 9-1 lead at the time of a rain delay in the fifth inning, it looked like the Sox were cruising to a win, but the Orioles put together 10 runs over the seventh and eighth innings to push ahead. Jul. 1 - 12:39 am et

Red Sox recalled first baseman Jeff Bailey from Triple-A Pawtucket.
Bailey posted a .188/.309/.391 line in 69 at-bats with the Red Sox the last time he was in the majors. He may get some playing time at first base while Kevin Youkilis fills in for Mike Lowell at third, but probably won't pull in enough at-bats for fantasy relevancy. Jun. 30 - 3:50 pm et

Red Sox placed infielder Mike Lowell on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 28, with a right hip strain.
Lowell was given a lubricating shot in his right hip Monday and will need up to a week of rest. He should be back as soon as the 15 days are up. Jun. 30 - 3:49 pm et