--RHP John Smoltz threw 60 pitches in a Wednesday bullpen session with the Red Sox before boarding a plane headed for the minor league complex in Fort Myers, Fla., to continue rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery. Smoltz plans on facing hitters for the first time this weekend in the next step on his long road back, but he still has June as his targeted return date. "Very pleased, very encouraged," said Smoltz when asked by the Boston Globe how his bullpen session went. "If this was the best it gets for me, that's good enough, very good enough. But I anticipate getting much better."

--RHP Clay Buchholz might have been a candidate to take the open spot in Boston's rotation vacated by RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka for next Monday's game against the Orioles, but he tweaked his hamstring during conditioning drills with Class AAA Pawtucket on Monday. Buchholz is day-to-day with the injury. RHP Justin Masterson continues to be a strong candidate to make the start against Baltimore.

--OF Rocco Baldelli was a candidate to play in Wednesday's West Coast trip finale against the Oakland A's and LHP Brett Anderson, but manager Terry Francona opted to sit the right-handed-hitting outfielder when he informed the skipper that his legs were feeling sore. Baldelli, 27, has played in four of the team's nine games played thus far and is hitting .273 with two runs. "As much as you think, 'OK, we get that right-handed bat in there,' I just don't think long-term that's the best thing to do," Francona said.

--OF Mark Kotsay traveled from Oakland to Fort Myers, Fla., on Wednesday to continue rehabbing from offseason back surgery. Kotsay is working his way back from his second back surgery, and he said knowing the landscape the second time around has made things easier for him. Kotsay is still on target for a return in May. "I push myself pretty hard," Kotsay told the Boston Globe. "I feel good about the progress I've made."

MEDICAL WATCH:

RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (mild right shoulder strain) went on the 15-day disabled list April 15.

SS Jed Lowrie (sprained left wrist) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 12. He saw a hand specialist, who determined that surgery won't be necessary. He was given two injections in the wrist and won't be able to start baseball activities for at least two weeks.

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 return in mid-April.

OF Mark Kotsay (back surgery in January 2009) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He was rehabbing in Fort Myers, Fla., in mid-April, and he hopes to return in May.

RHP John Smoltz (right shoulder surgery in June 2008) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He was rehabbing in Fort Myers, Fla., in mid-April, and he expects 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.

ROTATION:

RHP Josh Beckett

LHP Jon Lester

RHP Tim Wakefield

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

LHP Hunter Jones

CATCHERS:

Jason Varitek

George Kottaras

INFIELDERS:

1B Kevin Youkilis

2B Dustin Pedroia

SS Nick Green

3B Mike Lowell

DH David Ortiz

INF Gil Velazquez

1B/OF Chris Carter

OUTFIELDERS:

LF Jason Bay

CF Jacoby Ellsbury

RF J.D. Drew

OF Rocco Baldelli