--RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka returned to the Red Sox following another MVP-worthy performance and World Baseball Classic title and threw 54 pitches in his first bullpen session. Matsuzaka threw 98 pitches in his final appearance for Team Japan, and his right arm appears to be in good shape. There's still some curiosity about how Matsuzaka's arm will respond after such a heavy pitching burden, but so far, so good. "It's hard to keep that spring training schedule and that consistent work routine that is typical for this time of year," pitching coach John Farrell said. "So we have to factor those things into the players that return to our club and keep our initial expectations somewhat in check."

--SS Julio Lugo reported back to spring training following surgery on March 17 to repair the torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee and is close to resuming baseball activities. It's expected that Lugo, who was hitting .450 in eight games before succumbing to the knee injury, will be ready to rejoin the active roster within two weeks following Opening Day. Lugo's injury has paved the way for SS Jed Lowrie to claim the starting shortstop job out of training camp.

--RHP Rocky Cherry was signed by the Red Sox to a minor league contract. The 29-year-old reliever was 0-3 with a 6.85 ERA for the Baltimore Orioles last season but was released after he was selected by the New York Mets in the Rule 5 Draft -- and then subsequently returned to the Orioles on March 17. Cherry had a bloated 12.00 ERA in six innings against the Red Sox and appeared to be a depth signing in case injuries strike Boston's bullpen.

--2B Dustin Pedroia (slightly strained abdominal muscle) and Kevin Youkilis (sprained ankle and Achilles tendonitis) both left the World Baseball Classic tourney because of nagging injuries but soon returned to Boston's lineup in spring training. The injuries appeared to be minor, and both players are expected to be ready for the Opening Day lineup.

--OF Brad Wilkerson cleaned out his spring training locker and left the Sox team after being advised by club officials that he wasn't going to make the Opening Day roster. Wilkerson was brought into camp as a potential reserve player capable of playing both first base and the outfield, but he had a hard time getting anything going offensively during the spring. Wilkerson finished with a .119 batting average and 18 strikeouts in 42 spring training at-bats. The Sox also optioned 1B Jeff Bailey back to Triple-A Pawtucket as well, but he remains a viable right-handed hitting option should Boston's need arise later in the season.

--OF Chris Carter and SS Nick Green were both informed by Sox officials that they will likely break camp with the Sox and be on the Opening Day roster at Fenway Park. Only a last minute waiver pickup could push the two young players off the roster. Both reserves took advantage of opportunities once SS Julio Lugo and OF Mark Kotsay went down with injuries and absolutely raked throughout spring training. Green is blessed with a strong infield arm and played both infield and outfield this spring, while Carter is strictly a corner outfielder and first baseman. Carter's glove has always been a concern, but he has worked hard to improve his defense.

--RHP Brad Penny will be with his Sox teammates on Opening Day at Fenway Park and then will fly down to Florida to pitch in a final spring training camp game. The 29-year-old hit 96 mph in his final spring training appearance with the big club and remains on target to start his first game for the Sox on April 12 in a West Coast start against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Penny said his right shoulder feels better than it did at any point with the Dodgers last season.

--RHP Justin Masterson will begin the 2009 season pitching out of the bullpen after spending most of spring training working as a starting pitcher. The 24-year-old right-hander split time between the bullpen and starting rotation during his rookie season with the Sox but had settled into a sinkerballing groove out of the 'pen by season's end. Masterson will look to cut down on the 40 walks he allowed in 88 2/3 innings pitches last season and needs to avoid getting hurt by left-handed hitters. Masterson put up a 2.36 ERA in 27 games pitching out of Boston's bullpen last season.

BY THE NUMBERS: 98 -- The number of pitches that RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka threw in his final World Baseball Classic start.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "He took the ball. He was a true ace. I don't know that there's that many of those guys out there. He struck out 300 two years in a row. He was just a horse. Then he comes to Boston in '04, and he's exactly what we needed. He could talk the talk but he could walk the walk. But he backed up what he said. The (bloody) sock, the suture in the (tendon) and all that stuff." -- Red Sox manager Terry Francona, speaking with 850 WEEI Sports Radio about RHP Curt Schilling after the pitcher announced his retirement.