--DH David Ortiz announced he'll run the "Papi Cares 2009" charity for the entire 2009 baseball season, a ticket program that will provide trips to Fenway Park for families facing difficult financial times. One family will be chosen for each game and hosted by Ortiz at Fenway Park. "We're just trying to build up something the way that those families can still come to the field and have fun and be part of the family," Ortiz said. "This is a baseball game, it's a family game. We need to try to keep it that way."

--RHP John Smoltz and SS Julio Lugo headline a group of five Red Sox players who began the 2009 season on the disabled list. Lugo and OF Mark Kotsay are the two closest to returning to full health -- with Lugo expected to be ready in the first few weeks of April after undergoing right knee surgery. Kotsay is on schedule to return in May after back surgery, and Smoltz is targeting a June return to the pitcher's mound following shoulder surgery. RHP Miguel Gonzalez, a Rule 5 pickup, will miss the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, and OF Jonathan Van Every was also placed on the disabled list to start the season with a right ankle sprain.

BY THE NUMBERS: 13 -- Extra-base hits slammed by SS Jed Lowrie during 67 spring training at-bats.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "You get kind of caught up, especially in the first two weeks, when everything's overanalyzed, everything's overblown, over-magnified. That's what we just reminded the players. Just try to have good players trying to do the right thing and then, as you get into the grind of the season, if you're as good as you think you are, it'll show." -- Red Sox manager Terry Francona on his mind-set at the beginning of the season.