:
--DH David Ortiz was given a mental health break during the entire three-game series against the Seattle Mariners and didn't register an at bat in the entire series. Sox manager Terry Francona hoped that three games off combined with the Monday off-day would allow Big Papi to relax, and begin the long climb out of a slump that has him hitting .208 with zero home runs through last weekend. "I think it's good for him. Sometimes you read the headlines, it says, 'Ortiz benched.' That's not how I felt about it," said Sox manager Terry Francona. "Trying to just give him a little break to get himself together, and he knows that." --SS Nick Green made two errors in Sunday afternoon's walk-off loss to the Seattle Mariners, including a wild throwing error with two outs in the final inning that ended up leading to the game-winning run. The utility Sox infielder, playing at short in place of injured SS Julio Lugo, has been flawless defensively in seven games combined at second base and third, but has made eight errors in 23 games while patrolling the shortstop position for the Sox. Between Green and Lugo, the Sox have been getting some pretty mediocre defense at a key spot in the infield during the first quarter of the baseball season.
MEDICAL WATCH:
SS Julio Lugo (sore hip flexor) left the May 16 game. He is doubtful for the May 17 game.
1B Kevin Youkilis (strained left oblique) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 5. He will begin a rehab assignment with Class AAA Pawtucket on May 18. If he has no setbacks, he would be activated May 20.
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 made 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 pitched two innings 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
