Daily Red Sox Spring Training Update

Baltimore 5 Red Sox 3

- Justin Masterson started the game and looked filthy, everyone from the Boston Globe to CBS Sportsline is raving about this kid. Too bad I just don't think there is going to be a spot in the rotation for him this year. Still, Masterson is going to be one of the keys to the Red Sox season. Masterson pitched 2 scoreless innings allowing only 1 hit with 1 K.

- Daniel Bard, who I think will be int he bullpen by mid season threw a scoreless inning with no hits and 1 K. This kid has nasty stuff, and can throw around 100 MPH. He can be wild, but if Papelbon ever leaves look for this kid to be the future.

- The Sox didn't get much offense, but that was because Ellsbury was the only true starter playing. Most guys left for the WBC or are nursing injuries. Ellsbury went 1-3.

- Once again the Sox pitching looked great. The only two pitchers to let up runs were Billy Traber, and Adam Mills, so overall pitching wise it was a good outing.

Other notes:

- Penny may have his start pushed back a day or two, because he pitched his side session in the cold, and Francona doesn't want him to pull a muscle. Nothing serious.

- Rocco Baldelli has been getting some time off. Expect a lot of this during the season. Francona said that spring training is way too long, and that players will be ready to go in a week or two. He went on to say that he wants to keep guys "fresh".

Sox play the Reds today at 1:05pm on NESN.