--RHP Brad Penny will not travel to Florida for a Tuesday afternoon minor league camp game as originally planned. The change is a byproduct of a change in the rotation after Monday's opener was rained out. RHP Josh Beckett's start was pushed back a day. Now, Beckett will make the start against the Angels in Anaheim on Sunday, and Penny will make his Sox debut on Saturday against the Halos. Penny is set to throw a bullpen session under the watchful eye of pitching coach John Farrell on Tuesday in lieu of the day trip to Florida.

--OF Rocco Baldelli picked up the pace at the end of spring training and played in several back-to-back games at the end of the Grapefruit League season -- a sure sign that the outfield reserve is fully healthy entering the 2009 season. The 27-year-old Rhode Island native hit .273 with a pair of home runs and nine RBIs over 16 spring training games, and he is looking forward to his Fenway homecoming. "He really came through (spring training) even better than expected and he did a really good job of making himself available for games," manager Terry Francona said. "Maybe we caught a break. He certainly gives us that threat against a left-handed pitcher."

--SS Nick Green was the final addition to the 25-man roster when his contract was purchased from Class AAA Pawtucket. Green hit .349 with two home runs and 10 RBIs in 23 games during the spring session, and he also impressed Sox officials with his arm strength at shortstop and third base. Green played some outfield as well during the spring, so the former Mariner, Yankee, and Devil Ray -- who didn't appear in the big leagues at all last season -- provides the Sox with versatility. Green will start the season with the Sox, but it's expected he'll be shipped back to the minors when SS Julio Lugo recovers from right knee surgery.

--RHP John Smoltz said he expects to stop at every spot in the Sox minor league organization on his way back from shoulder surgery. The 41-year-old is continuing to throw bullpen sessions and build his arm strength in anticipation of taking the next step forward. Returning to the Sox to pitch in the big leagues by June continues to be the veteran's goal. It doesn't seem to be a coincidence that Smoltz was given former RHP Curt Schilling's old locker in the Sox clubhouse. "Too bad I can't get frequent-flyer miles for the next two months because it's going to be ridiculous how many places (and) times I've got to fly," Smoltz said. "But it's part of the process."

ROTATION:

1. RHP Josh Beckett

2. LHP Jon Lester

3. RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka

4. RHP Tim Wakefield

5. RHP Brad Penny

BULLPEN:

RHP Jonathan Papelbon (closer)

LHP Hideki Okajima

RHP Ramon Ramirez

RHP Manny Delcarmen

RHP Takashi Saito

LHP Javier Lopez

RHP Justin Masterson

LINEUP:

1. CF Jacoby Ellsbury

2. 2B Dustin Pedroia

3. DH David Ortiz

4. 1B Kevin Youkilis

5. OF Jason Bay

6. 3B Mike Lowell

7. OF J.D. Drew

8. SS Jed Lowrie

9. C Jason Varitek

RESERVES:

C George Kottaras

OF Rocco Baldelli

SS Nick Green

1B/OF Chris Carter

MEDICAL WATCH:

3B Mike Lowell (arthroscopic right hip surgery in October 2008) has resumed playing regularly in spring training games and is aiming to be ready for regular starting duty by opening day.

SS Julio Lugo (arthroscopic right knee surgery in March 2009) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He is expected to miss the first two weeks of the regular season.

OF Mark Kotsay (back surgery in January 2009) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He might be sidelined until sometime in April or May.

RHP John Smoltz (right shoulder surgery in June 2008) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He threw 40 fastballs during his first bullpen session in late March and is expected to pitch for the Red Sox in June barring any setbacks.

OF Jonathan Van Every (sprained right ankle) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27.

RHP Miguel Gonzalez (sore right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27.