Zink Headed to Boston

The Red Sox announced today that they are promoting Charlie Zink from the PawSox to start in place of Tim Wakefield tomorrow night at Fenway Park as the team begins a homestand with the Texas Rangers.

Zink is 13-4 with the PawSox this season with a 2.89 ERA in 25 starts. He was named to the International League All-Star team and leads the IL in wins with teammate David Pauley.

Here is more from the Projo.

Lowrie Called Up, Kielty Released, Ortiz on His Way

The PawSox and Red Sox have made some off-field news.

Jed Lowrie has been recalled by the Red Sox to fill the spot left vacant by Julio Lugo, who was placed on the disabled list today with a severe quad tear. Lowrie had been with the Sox earlier this season when Mike Lowell was on the DL. He batter .310 with a homer and seven RBI's over 17 games played.

The Red Sox have granted Bobby Kielty his release. Kielty, who homered in Game 4 of the 2007 World Series for Boston, played in only 28 games for the PawSox. He batted .228 with 3 homers and 18 RBI's. He was hampered by injuries, twice being placed on the disabled list.

The Red Sox have also announced that David Ortiz has progressed well enough from his injury that he will spend next week on a rehab assignment with the PawSox. Ortiz is slated to play for the PawSox July 17-19 when he PawSox return home to McCoy after the All-Star break. He is then slated to make a few rehab appearances in Portland before possibly returning to the Sox.

PawSox Rained Out...Bailey Called Up

Tonight's game between the PawSox and the Richmond Braves was postponed due to rain. The game will be made up as part of a double header tomorrow night.

In off-the-field news the Red Sox have announced that they have optioned pitcher Justin Masterson back to the Pawtucket. The plan is to have Masterson work out of the bullpen in anticipation of being returned to the big club to fill that role later in the season.

Jeff Bailey has been called up by the Red Sox to fill Masterson's spot on the roster. It is also a good bet that Clay Buchholz may return to Boston as soon as Friday to resume his role in the Boston rotation.

Here is more from the Projo's Joe McDonald.

Web site notes: I will be traveling on business tomorrow and will be away from the area until Monday. I still hope to file reports while I'm away. If for some reason I cannot, you'll know why.

Lowrie Still on Top of His Game

PAWTUCKET- It’s only June, but PawSox shortstop Jed Lowrie has already had a season’s worth of experiences.

The highly-touted Red Sox infield prospect has spent time in both the Pawtucket and Boston line-up and has also spent some time on the sideline with an injury.

Throughout all that activity he has remained focused on making sure he keeps his eye on the prize…a full time Major League job.

“I hit .300 last year”, said Lowrie, “I feel like if I keep my same approach I’m able to maintain those kind of numbers.”

Entering Wednesday night’s game Lowrie was hitting .299 with the PawSox and riding a 12 game hitting streak. (He extended the streak to 13 games with a double in the PawSox’ 11-3 win over Louisville)

“I’m seeing the ball well” Lowrie said, “Its easy to say that when you’re on a 12 game hitting streak. I’ve been taking the same approach…taking my walks…and hitting balls when I get the opportunity to when I get my pitch to hit. When I go out there I’m trying to do something every at bat to help us win.”

He has already proven his mettle in the 17 games he spent with the Red Sox earlier this season. Called up to replace the injured Alex Cora, Lowrie hit .310, with four doubles, a homer, and seven RBI’s. He also played errorless ball in the field, starting games at second, short, and third for Boston.

He was optioned back to Pawtucket on May 11^th and was able to play in only four games before being sidelined for close to two weeks with a strained ligament in his left wrist.

“It doesn’t bother me too much anymore” Lowrie said. But it still in the back of my mind. But it’s to the point where I can play through any of the pain that’s still there.”

Lowrie said he has worked with PawSox trainer Greg Barajas on exercises to strengthen his wrist and continues to have it heavily wrapped each game.

“When you stretch out a ligament like that, it’s not as strong and you gotta work at it to get it back to where it was.”

The switch-hitting Lowrie said he sometimes feels some tension in the wrist when he’s batting from the right side of the plate.

“Jed’s a good hitter” said PawSox Manager Ron Johnson, “He controls the zone. It’s hard to get into what he does because he’s such a good player.”

It’s evident that Lowrie’s workman-like approach will eventually pay off in the form of a permanent big league assignment.

“You can only control so much”, said Lowrie, “I feel like I’ve been doing it all year. The one thing I can control is my approach.”

Buchholz Placed on DL, Van Every Gets the Call

The Red Sox today placed RHP Clay Buchholz on the 15-day disabled list with a torn nail on the middle finger of his pitching hand. OF Jonathan Van Every has been called up from Pawtucket. He will make his Major League debut this afternoon in Baltimore, batting ninth and playing center field. He batted .287 with 6 homers and 20 RBI's with the PawSox.

The move to bring up Van Every was necessitated by yesterday's injury to J.D. Drew. Although no official word has come from the Sox, Drew is expected to miss some time due to a sprain of his left wrist.

Buchholz's immediate future with Boston may now be in doubt. Bartolo Colon is scheduled to make his next start with the PawSox tomorrow afternoon in Buffalo. If all goes well he may be invited to join the big club relegating Buchholz back to Pawtucket.

No word as of yet as to the status of the PawSox roster following Van Every's promotion.

More Support from Pawtucket on the Way

The Red Sox announced that they will probably need to place IF Alex Cora on the 15 day disabled list with a right elbow injury.

Joe Thurston or Keith Ginter may get the call to Boston as a replacement.