RED SOX : News & Notes March 26,2014.

RED SOX : NEWS & NOTES
March 26,2014.





Victorino 'Held Back' : The Red Sox held Shane Victorino out of Tuesday's game against the Rays after the outfielder felt discomfort in his left side following Sunday's game against the Braves.Victorino went through treatment Monday. He's also swung a bat and thrown from 150 feet without any residual pain."We held him out as a precaution and hopefully he is back [Wednesday]," said Red Sox manager John Farrell.Jackie Bradley Jr. replaced Victorino in right field.Victorino played in 122 games for Boston last season and had surgery on his thumb in the offseason."Everything points to him being ready, even with the current stiffness," Farrell said. "We don't think this is going to keep him out of Opening Day."

~Red Sox 'Off to The White House' : A few days after the Red Sox won the 2013 World Series, manager John Farrell received a congratulatory phone call from President Barack Obama.
Farrell and his players will get to meet the President in person on Tuesday, when the Red Sox go to the White House to celebrate their recent championship.After a last-place finish in 2012, the Red Sox produced a stunning season in '13, capped by beating the Cardinals in a six-game World Series.The timing of the visit to the White House will be convenient, considering Boston opens its season with a three-game series in Baltimore on Monday and there is a team off-day on Tuesday.

~Buchholz's 'Best Outing' : Continually progressing throughout Spring Training, Red Sox right-hander Clay Buchholz had his most complete outing in his final start Tuesday.Buchholz allowed two runs on three hits in six innings for his third win of the Grapefruit League season. Marking his longest outing of the spring, Buchholz also struck out five and walked two in a 4-2 victory over the Rays."More than anything that stands out over the course of the spring is that he is pitching very comfortably on the mound," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "He is using all of his pitches."
Working on his changeup all of Spring Training, Buchholz said Tuesday marked the first time he was able to throw it for a strike in a game.The righty was also able to use his two-seam fastball to put away left-handers and right-handers."He has a lot of confidence knowing that he can pitch at the bottom of the strike zone and get some outs," said Farrell.The only runs the Rays got across against Buchholz came in the third. A single by Sean Rodriguez and an RBI double by Jose Molina plated the first run. Two batters later, Wil Myers belted an RBI single to left field.However, Buchholz settled down after that, allowing no hits, one walk and striking out five over the next three frames."Overall, my stuff was good," Buchholz said. "When I wanted a little bit extra on the fastball, I had something in the tank to throw it."Finishing the spring 3-2 with a 2.84 ERA, Buchholz feels healthy and ready to begin the season.
The right-hander will pitch a simulated game Sunday and is slotted to begin to season as the team's No. 5 starter."I'm just trying to prepare for the season," Buchholz said. "I have to treat it like any other start. I'll then head up north and meet the guys."

~Webster to start today : Right-hander Allen Webster is scheduled to start Wednesday afternoon's game against the Orioles at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Fla.

~Decision coming for Breslow : After pitching in a Minor League game Monday, left-hander Craig Breslow will pitch in another Minor League game Thursday. After that outing, Farrell said the team will have a better read on if the lefty will begin the season on the Major League roster.

~Corey Brown leaving ? : Outfielder Corey Brown said he can opt-out of his minor league contract on Thursday. He is planning to talk to his agent soon.

~Final 3 starts : Jon Lester will throw 95-100 pitches in a minor league game on Wednesday rather than face the Baltimore Orioles, the team he will face on Opening Day on Monday. Allen Webster will return from minor league camp to face the Orioles.John Lackey, Felix Doubront and Jake Peavy will start the final three games of the exhibition season.