"After giving up just one run over six innings, Saturday night in Pawtucket, Smoltz has now given up just three earned runs in 17 1/3 innings in four rehab starts. In short, he's done his part. Now he's ready to do it as a major leaguer (WEEI- Rob Bradford)."
Smoltz has done everything the Sox have asked him, but it is getting harder and harder to figure out what the Sox are going to do with him. The rotation seems to be set, and the bullpen has a surplus of good arms. Smoltz has been a good sport about all this saying that he wouldn't mind pitching from the bullpen, but also stated he has not been approached to do so. That means he is most likely going to head to the rotation.
So...who do the Sox take out. Penny has been solid, and has a nice record, but his ERA leaves something to be desired. Time Wakefield could go to the bullpen, but overall he is having a good season, and the Sox already have a long reliever in Masterson. Then the other option is Dice-K. If he can't figure it out soon the Sox could be pushed to make another DL move for him. Dice-K has been much more accurate lately, and his fastball has some life last game, but it still didn't translate into success. Dice-K did what the Sox wanted him to do against Texas, which is pound the strike zone. He ended up getting pounded, but hopefully that is because he was just up against an extremely strong lineup.
So, what do the Sox do about Smoltz. My theory is that Wake will either have a mysterious DL injury, or be moved to the bullpen.
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