Projo Sox Blog

CINCINNATI -- Manager Terry Francona touched on several items in his pregame meeting with the media.

-- Manny Ramirez is struggling with a tight right hamstring, down where it attaches to the knee. Ramirez is not starting today and won't start in the National League cities where the designated hitter is not used until Francona is sure that he can play a full game and not have to be replaced in the middle of a game.

-- Trot Nixon was traded from the Arizona organization to the New York Mets where he'll have a chance to return to the big leagues. "Good for him," said Francona.

-- Major League Baseball is hoping to implement instant replay for use on home run calls. The date Aug 1 has been mentioned. Francona isn't necessarily against the concept, but the timing has him baffled.

"I don't know how you change the rules in the middle of a season. I don't know how that works. It's hard to understand," said Francona.

-- STEVEN KRASNER

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