Projo Sox Blog

BOSTON -- The Red Sox expect that Junichi Tazawa will remain in the rotation and make another start, potentially Friday or Saturday, despite the team's decision to option him down to the minor leagues today.

With the rotation juggled because of an injury to Tim Wakefield, Francona projects that Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, and then Clay Buchholz will pitch Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday against Tampa.

Tazawa could then follow during the Chicago White Sox series.

"He'll probably start Friday or Saturday. We'll kind of get to that, but that's what we're pointing to," manager Terry Francona said after tonight's game.

Boston brought up reliever Marcus McBeth before tonight's game as insurance in case a rain delay or a poor performance forced Francona to lean on the bullpen. To do that, Tazawa was sent down to the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Red Sox.

"There were a lot of things that were a little bit iffy -- weather, some travel issues, things like that. We just wanted to protect our bullpen if there's an early exit for whatever reason.

Sending Tazawa down to rookie ball instead of to Triple A allows the Red Sox to reactivate the pitcher Tuesday, immediately after the GCL season ends (A rule precludes teams from recalling optioned players for 10 days, unless a player is injured or the minor league team's season ends). The Triple-A season doesn't conclude until the end of the week.

McBeth was sent back to Pawtucket after the game, the second time this season he has been on the active roster but failed to enter the game. The gracious 29-year-old reliever said he didn't mind -- the chance to sit in the same bullpen with Takashi Saito, Billy Wagner, and Jonathan Papelbon --- over 500 saves among them -- was worth it.

"It's another milestone in my career to be in the same bullpen as Billy Wagner. I was looking around, and seeing Papelbon, Bard, all the people they've got? To be in the midst of all those guys, who could all be stars... I'm thankful. Whatever it is they need, I'm here to do it."

-- DANIEL BARBARISI

 Tags  Billy Wagner Boston Red Sox Dan Barbarisi Junichi Tazawa Marcus McBeth

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