--Manager Terry Francona turned 50 years old Wednesday amid the day/night doubleheader against the Twins, and he really didn't seem to want to have it any other way. For a baseball lifer like Francona, birthday plans take a back seat to arriving at the park early in the morning for a game day and going through his normal routine at the Fens. "We had a night game scheduled," he said. "I would have been in here at 10:30 (a.m.). I'd have kicked (Dustin Pedroia's rear) in cribbage. Then, just play the Twins. All the days are the same."
--OF Chris Carter confirmed to WEEI.com following Wednesday night's late game that he's being optioned back to Class AAA Pawtucket (R.I.). Carter was 0-for-5 with five strikeouts and an RBI in five games played for the Sox thus far this season, and he isn't able to play center field in a pinch. With OF Rocco Baldelli on the shelf with a hamstring injury, there wasn't a player on the roster who could back up Jacoby Ellsbury in center field. The Sox haven't announced any call-up to replace Carter for Friday, but OF Jonathan Van Every -- fresh off the disabled list -- is a strong possibility. --RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka began his throwing progression while serving out time on the 15-day disabled list with a slight right shoulder sprain. Matsuzaka threw from 60 feet on flat ground before Tuesday's postponement, and he continues to build up arm strength while working to get back into the rotation. Sox officials believe that Matsuzaka's biggest shoulder problem is a lack of consistent strength, which appears to be a byproduct of ramping up too quickly for the World Baseball Classic.
BY THE NUMBERS: 3 -- Pickoffs that LHP Jon Lester had in his first three starts this season. He credits bench coach Brad Mills with calling the successful pickoff plays from the bench.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Everybody has to answer to somebody and my bosses told me this was the best thing for the ballclub. If it was up to me I would have seen let's go through with this whole thing because I don't think I deserve even one game. But when your boss tells you something is best for the whole group that's what we do." -- RHP Josh Beckett discussing the decision-making process in agreeing to drop his appeal when his suspension was dropped from six games to five.
