Fort Report: Truck Day

As the "Truck" prepares to pull out of the Fens to kick off its annual trek down to Edison Avenue, we bring you our first edition of the Fort Report. As you may remember from seasons past, the Fort Report is a quick-hit style post designed to bring you the latest notes on Red Sox spring training, with a strong focus on the prospects in big league and minor league camp. Additionally, we'll have some representatives in camp starting February 23, and we'll be sending a full contingent of staff members down from March 24 to 28, so we’ll try to bring you extra first-hand reports during those time frames. For now, here are some early notes:

• As many of you already know, top prospect Ryan Westmoreland has been in Fort Myers since mid-January rehabbing his broken clavicle. Reports are that he will not miss any time and should be able to start the 2010 season in full-season ball. Look for him to start the season with Greenville, but it appears that Salem is not totally out of the question, as Director of Player Development Mike Hazen has indicated that the Sox want to challenge the outfielder. The 19-year-old comes into the spring at 6'3", 220, after playing much of the 2009 season at around 208 pounds.

• Several players took the field on Monday, including Kevin Youkilis, Manny Delcarmen, and thirty minor-leaguers. Among the early arrivals to minor league camp were Mike Jones, Ryne Miller, Kade Keowen, Bubba Bell, Blake Maxwell, and Drake Britton. Alex Speier of WEEI.com recently had a fantastic piece on Miller - it's worth the read. The right-hander is slated to start 2010 in Portland's starting rotation.

• Jontahan Papelbon, Jon Lester, and Michael Bowden also arrived in Fort Myers earlier this week.

• Media Reports: The Providence Journal has a report on the progress of Jed Lowrie, who has been in Florida for the last few weeks. Meanwhile, PawSox broadcaster Dan Hoard talked to Jeff Natale about reporting to camp twenty pounds lighter than last season. Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston reports on Rob Leary, who is taking on Brad Mills' former role in charge of big league camp. Leary formerly ran Boston's minor league camp.

• A few Sox prospects recently appeared at a Drive "Hot Stove" event in Greenville: Josh Reddick, Madison Younginer, Jeremy Kehrt, and Zach Gentile. New Drive manager and former Sox minor-leaguer Billy McMillon also appeared at the event.

• Some important major league dates: pitchers and catchers offcially report on February 18, position players report on February 22, the first full squad workout will be February 23, the Northeastern and Boston College exhibition games will be on March 3, and official spring training games start on March 4.

• For minor league spring training, several players are already in camp, but the mandatory reporting date for spring "mini-camp" is not until February 24, remaining pitchers and catchers are not required to report until March 5, and remaining position players are not required to report until March 12. The minor league game schedule gets underway on March 17 and will run until April 3.

• Word is that three of Boston's Australian players - Mitch Dening, Boss Moanaroa, and Moko Moanaroa - will not report until March 3, as they are competing in the Sydney Winter League this off-season for Central Coast.

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