Beckett Could Have Set Back With Thumb

Just one day after finding out that Andrew Bailey is suffering from a thumb injury. We find out Josh Beckett may be as well. Today Beckett is in San Antonio, Texas getting his thumb checked out. The injury could set him back but Bobby Valentine believes he will make his first start in Detroit.

Doubront and Bard Round Out Rotation; Bailey Causes Consern

We are under a week until Opening Day and the rotation is finally set. Bobby Valentine announced that the final two spots in the rotation will go to lefty Felix Doubront and righty Daniel Bard.

"That's for me what i was looking for all spring," Doubront said. "Even when I start my offseason, to hear that news. That's pretty amazing."

The Red Sox really didn't have an other option but to place Doubront on the team. Reason being his he is out of minor league options and if they didn't keep him they would have most likely lost him on the waiver wire. Doubront pitched a nice spring pitching 16.2 innings in three starts and four appearances. Doubront has a  2.70 ERA and has gave up 18 hits and five runs. Doubront also it brings a second lefty to the rotation.

Iglesias Sent Down, Aviles Opening Day Starter

The debate over who will be the opening day short stop is finally over. The Red Sox optioned Jose Iglesias to AAA Pawtucket earlier this morning. With Iglesias being sent down that leave Mike Aviles as your stater.

Iglesias who is an amazing defensive short stop but struggles to hit the ball. This spring he suffered from a groin injury which held him back several games and he ended the spring hitting right at the Mendoza Line a whopping .200.

"(Inglesias) had a real emotional meeting with Ben and I," manager Bobby Valentine said. "At this time, we decided it was best for him and this organization that he get some real regular at-bats and works a littler more on his consistency of his swing and play."

Spring has Sprung

After two weeks of practice work outs it's finally time for the Red Sox to actually play a game, well sorta. The Spring Training schedule begins tomorrow with a twin bill against two colleges from Boston. The Red Sox will play an early game against Northeastern University and a late match  up against Boston College. 

"That part is fun," said Dustin Pedroia. "You're building up to get ready for the season. It's been a while since we played games, and that's why you put in all the hard work, is to play well during the games. It's going to be fun."

There will be one surprise about tomorrows games and that is who will be playing first base against BC. David Ortiz will be playing first base in that game. Bobby Valentine must be trying to see what Oritz has left in the tank to play him against a college team at first. 

Lineups for 3/3/12

Northeastern at 2:35 p.m.

Iglesias SS

Ellsbury CF

Pedroia 2B

Gonzalez 1B

Saltalamacchia C

McDonald DH

Sweeney RF

Ross LF

Middlebrooks 3B

Pitchers

Lester

Germano

Bowden

Albers

Boston College at 7:05 p.m.

Aviles SS

Lin CF

Youkilis 3B

Ortiz 1B

Punto 2B

Lavarnway C

Kooeger RF

Hassan DH

Repko LF

Pitchers

Doubront

Tazawa

Mathis

Spoone

Spring Training Work Outs Began

photo by: Jim Davis, Boston.com

Spring has sprung and the Red Sox are back. With the first full squad work out complete spring training is underway. A lot news has come out of the day.

New rules came out of JetBlue park and to be honest they came right on schedule. Head coach Bobby Valentine announced that their would be no beer in the club house or on return trips to Boston. This was expected after last seasons beer and chicken disaster. Not only because of that but because it has been banned in every club house Bobby V has been apart of with the exception Texas. With the ban the Red Sox become the 19th team to do so. Valentine doesn't expect any back lash from the lack of beer.

David Ortiz added his support of the ban. "It doesn't matter. We're not here to drink; we're here to play baseball. This isn't a bar." Ortiz went on to say, "This is an organization, a place that needs a lot of athleticsm. Alcohol has nothing to do with that. We have alcohol in our houses. If you want to drink, drink at home."

Today was also a big day for Carl Crawford, as well has his feelings. Crawford meet with team owner John Henry early in the day. Henry apologized for comments he made that he opposed the Crawford signing.

"It went really." Crawford said on the meeting. "He was real apologetic, I told him there were no hard feelings or nothing like that.We all share the same goal and that is to help us win, get back where we should be..."

"I should have never made those comments," Henry said in an owners Q&A session held this morning. "It was an off the cuff remark I shouldn't have made, so when I see him I'm going to apologize to him for it."

Crawford comes into spring training recovering from a minor wrist surgery. Crawford  took 30 swings today in the cage and he appeared to be pleased with the outcome. Though it did come with some discomfort to the injured wrist.

"It felt good," Crawford said. "I took more swings, I swung hard so it felt good.

 "[I had] a little soreness, but that's expected," Crawford went on to say. "Hopefully it's something I can play through and get used to that and eventually that little soreness will go away."

Crawford plans to be on the opening day roster come April 5th in Detroit. Valentine spoke on the matter.

"Sooner than I thought, originally," Bobby V said. "Hopefully not so soon that it sets him back, we're trying to make the time right. Of Course, we've talked about some absolute time frames.

"I think [Crawford being ready for opening day] could be realistic, but again I don't know. I wouldn't doubt it. Talking to Carl, I wouldn't doubt many things. He seems very determined."

Crawford is coming off his worst season since entering the big league hopefully now that he has one year under his belt and a surgery to fix an injury he will be better prepared for his second season in Boston.

Videos from Boston.com