--OF Jason Bay was one of six players nominated for the "Major League Baseball Clutch Performer of the Month Presented by Pepsi" on Friday afternoon. The award recognizes players who consistently performed at a high level when the game was on the line during the month of April. The other players nominated included: Kansas City RHP Zach Greinke, Minnesota OF Jason Kubel, New York LHP Johan Santana, Chicago OF Alfonso Soriano, and Texas SS Michael Young.
--RHP John Smoltz has suffered a setback in his recovery from offseason surgery on his right shoulder, and he'll be shut down for a 10- to 14-day period to rest his arm. The veteran was expected to throw a batting practice session Thursday, but that was scratched when he felt some discomfort in his shoulder. Smoltz was targeted for a June return if everything went according to plan. That timetable may be pushed back a bit now following his setback. --RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka threw 47 pitches during a Wednesday afternoon bullpen session after throwing long toss from 200 feet. Matsuzaka has been on the disabled since April 15 with a slight strain in his right shoulder but appears to be destined for a rehab stint in the minor leagues after another bullpen session on Saturday. Manager Terry Francona suggested that it might take more than one rehab start before Matsuzaka is ready for a return to Boston's rotation, so Dice-K might not return until mid-May at the earliest.
BY THE NUMBERS: 4:21 -- Exact time of game on both April 24 (11 innings) and April 25 (nine innings) during a lengthy pair of typical rivalry games between the Red Sox and Yankees.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Guys were fired up. That usually happens when I steal a base, steal second. But nothing like stealing home. It was pretty exciting for me when I was running down the line from third to home. Everything felt like it was happening in slow motion." -- OF Jacoby Ellsbury, talking about Sunday's first "straight steal of home" for the Red Sox in 15 years.
