Doubront and Wagner optioned to Pawtucket, Velazquez sent down

The Red Sox reduced their roster to 43 today by optioning Felix Doubront and Mark Wagner to Triple-A Pawtucket and reassigning Gil Velazquez to minor league camp. Doubront will be making the start for the major league squad tomorrow against Toronto with Wagner scheduled to catch him.

Doubront, a 22-year-old left-hander, has fared well this spring in three appearances, not allowing a run on only three hits in 7.0 innings pitched. He is expected to be a member of the Portland or Pawtucket rotation after having a stellar season with the Sea Dogs in 2009, posting a 3.35 ERA in 26 starts. Doubront's impressive campaign resulted in him being named 2009 Portland Sea Dogs pitcher of the year as well as earning a spot on the 2010 SoxProspects Pre-Season All Star squad.

The 25-year-old Wagner has had a second straight impressive spring, hitting .385/.429/.769 with a game-winning home run against Baltimore on March 7. He is expected to be the starting catcher this season in Pawtucket after struggling there in 43 games following a promotion from Portland last season. Wagner hit .301/.410/.477 in 42 games with Portland and .214/.268/.351 with Pawtucket.

Velazquez, a 30-year-old utility infielder, is entering his third season with the Boston organization. He spent the majority of his 2009 season with Pawtucket, hitting .193/.240/.269 in 93 games while going without a hit in six games with Boston. He recently chipped a bone in his thumb diving for a ball during a game against Houston and is expected to miss six weeks.

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