February 22, 2011 at 5:52 PM
Fort Report: February 22
Today’s minor league notes:
▪ Spring training games get underway on Saturday with the annual scrimmages against Boston College and Northeastern, followed by the start of Grapefruit League action on Sunday. Here are some of the pitchers already lined up to throw in those games: Saturday vs. BC: Stomly Pimentel, Michael Bowden and Jason Rice; vs. Northeastern: Kyle Weiland, Alex Wilson, and Rich Hill; Sunday at Twins: Josh Beckett, Clay Buchholz, and Brandon Duckworth; Monday vs. Twins: Daisuke Matsuzaka.
▪ Joe McDonald of ESPNBoston caught up with outfielder Ryan Westmorleand this past weekend. The 20-year-old is ahead of schedule in terms when his doctors expected he'd be able to take batting practices. Westmoreland is back in New England now, but will head back to camp later this week after an examination at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital earlier today. Results of the examination have not been disclosed.
▪ After working out with Red Sox shortstop prospect Jose Iglesias over the winter, Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez had glowing reviews according to a report on Boston.com. According to the report, Rodriguez said “that kid is going to be sensational,” and came away particularly impressed with Iglesias’s work ethic, personality, hands, and glovework.
▪ Per MiLB.com, top Sox prospect Ryan Kalish spent a large chunk of his off-season working out at Athlete’s Performance Institute in Arizona. So far this spring, the outfielder has been working on approaching his at-bats with a clear head. For now, the 22-year-old has accepted that he is likely headed to Pawtucket to start the 2011 season barring injuries to the major league roster, but hopes to be ready to contribute if and when the phone rings from Fenway.
▪ Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal sees Brent Dlugach as a candidate to be the 2011 version of Darnell McDonald or Nick Green if he catches a few breaks. A 27-year-old infielder who spent the last seven seasons in the Detroit organization, Dlugach can play shortstop, second base, and third base adequately, but has average-to-below average offensive tools. More than likely, Dlugach will serve as insurance depth in Triple-A this season.
▪ According to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland-Plain Dealer, the Red Sox have approached Cleveland twice about reacquiring Justin Masterson. Probably not new news, but the big righty sure would make a great addition as the long-man out of Boston’s bullpen.
▪ PawSox broadcaster Dan Hoard brings us an update on old friend Charlie Zink, who recently signed with the Lancaster Barnstormers of the independent Atlantic League after recovering from shoulder and neck injuries. Zink will be playing under the tutelage of former PawSox and Red Sox manager Butch Hobson, now the skipper for the Barnstomers.
▪ Tony Thomas, acquired from the Cubs last week for reliever Robert Coello, did not receive an invitation to major league camp. Regardless, the 24-year-old second baseman is expected to report to camp in the next day or two.