--2B Dustin Pedroia was back in the starting lineup after missing two games with a strained right groin. Pedroia spoke about playing in all 162 games as a goal this spring and was eager to play Wednesday, but manager Terry Francona thought playing in the afternoon series finale was the best course of action. Pedroia was available in an emergency Wednesday, and he's grudgingly come to accept the forced rest from his skipper. "I understand what he's thinking," Pedroia told the Boston Globe. "We've got to look at the big picture. I'm feeling better, getting better every day."
--3B Mike Lowell committed his fifth error Wednesday and is aware of the unusually high total less than two months into the season. Lowell has one Gold Glove on his resume -- while he was with the Florida Marlins in 2005 -- and is the all-time leader for fielding percentage among third baseman with a .971 mark. Injuries could easily be used as an excuse after he had right hip surgery during the offseason, but the 35-year-old wasn't going there when asked about the large number of miscues. "I look at them as if I make 20 errors a year and no runs come in, I'd rather have those 20 errors than make three and they turn out to be big runs," Lowell said. --OF Jacoby Ellsbury is riding a 10-game hitting streak and is ranked second in the American League with 37 singles -- behind only Toronto 2B Aaron Hill in that category. The stat speaks to Ellsbury's speed, allowing him to hustle into infield hits, but it also tells the story of a player who's focusing more on playing to his strengths as a leadoff hitter. The hitting streak has Ellsbury's batting average hovering close to the .300 mark, but his .325 on-base percentage could still use improvement.
MEDICAL WATCH:
2B Dustin Pedroia (strained groin) left the May 10 game. He did not play May 12-13, but he returned to the lineup May 14.
1B Kevin Youkilis (strained left oblique) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 5.
OF Mark Kotsay (back surgery in January 2009) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He began a rehab assignment with Class AAA Pawtucket on May 2, but he left the May 3 game with a strained right calf. He might be activated May 19.
RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (mild right shoulder strain) went on the 15-day disabled list April 15. He threw on flat ground April 21 and threw long toss April 27. He began a rehab assignment with Class AAA Pawtucket on May 5, and he is expected to make his final rehab start May 15.
RHP John Smoltz (right shoulder surgery in June 2008) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He is expected to pitch in an extended spring training game May 15. Smoltz is hoping to pitch for the Red Sox in June despite a setback in late April.
SS Jed Lowrie (sprained left wrist) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 12. He had surgery April 21, and he is expected to be out until the All-Star break.
RHP Miguel Gonzalez (sore right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 14.
ROTATION:
RHP Josh Beckett
LHP Jon Lester
RHP Tim Wakefield
RHP Brad Penny
RHP Justin Masterson
BULLPEN:
RHP Jonathan Papelbon (closer)
LHP Hideki Okajima
RHP Ramon Ramirez
RHP Manny Delcarmen
RHP Takashi Saito
RHP Daniel Bard
LHP Hunter Jones
CATCHERS:
Jason Varitek
George Kottaras
INFIELDERS:
1B Jeff Bailey
2B Dustin Pedroia
SS Julio Lugo
3B Mike Lowell
DH David Ortiz
INF Nick Green
INF Gil Velazquez
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Jason Bay
CF Jacoby Ellsbury
RF J.D. Drew
OF Jonathan Van Every
