Springtime Catch-Up

Wow, I know it’s been awhile since I’ve posted on here but work has been a bitch lately and time is a commodity I don’t enjoy too much at the moment. I’m not even going to try to get caught up on everything that has happened so far (avoiding the scout in the hotel with his dick out for some underager that probably had Chris Hanson secretly watching in the bushes).

The biggest news out of spring camp is the fact that of Josh Beckett’s health. No, not his gut popping out in that picture either. For now the Sox are using extreme caution with another of their aces out for at least half the season in Curt Schilling. Beckett will not be making the flight to Japan to take on the Oakland A’s and the starting nod was given to Daisuke Matsuzaka today. It’s actually nice to see Dice-K get the opener in his native land in some sense. I’m sure he’ll get one heck of a polite reception.

The Beckett situation isn’t probably as bad as most would think, he’s already throwing without pain and could be getting back into a game by this weekend. Pitching Coach John Farrell said the projected dates for him are to get into the bullpen on Thursday and hopefully some game time by Saturday or Sunday.

Hey this just in! Bartolo Colon sucks! Surprised? I know I’m not. I know the Sox were fairly desperate and the move to acquire him may have been a knee-jerk reaction to losing Schil’ for most of ’08, but good God, is this the best they could come up with? Today’s goal for Colon was to make it through the third inning against the Yankees. Well, he didn’t even make it out of the first folks. I know it’s only spring training, but if this were to happen any time during the regular season it could be one of those mini-disasters that Sox fans would have a hard time getting over. The good news is that Bart isn’t letting the loss get him down, not one iota.

Colon said that all he wants is to stay healthy, God willing. After the game he said he felt “great.” Well, if getting a healthy ass kicking to the tune of 41 pitches (41!!) in 2/3rds of an inning gave up three hits and four earned while walking three and striking out two. Francona has said since camp started that Colon has a great attitude and arm strength, but it’s probably the only two good things he could come up with. Control is going to be a major factor in his possible return to the bigs, hopefully things don’t get so desperate that we have to take a flyer on him at any point in the season. If he’s ready and good to go, then fine, give him a shot. I don’t think I’ll be excited about it at any point though. When the Sox are in Japan, Colon will be pitching a minor league game. He’ll also be available for the exhibition series against Dodgers at the end of the month. Something to note here also, if he’s not on the 25 man roster by May 1^st he has a clause in his contract to where he can bow out.