via bostonredsox4life.mlblogs.com

John Smoltz is expected to join the team somewhere around June 16, conveniently the day after Brad Penny can first be traded.

"Right now, I'm doing this because I think I can still do it, I'm perfectly content with what transpired, how it all worked out, and now, if it continues to work out, I might have a chance to pitch in the postseason again."

Not to mention that Boston has six interleague games scheduled with Atlanta later this month. If all goes as scheduled in his two remaining rehab starts, there's good chance Smoltz could return to the major league pitching against Atlanta.

"All I've said about that is that I'd prefer it not to be my first game," Smoltz said. "I'm a full-tilt guy and with everything else going on, I'd prefer not to have that be my first (game)."

He'll fly to Detroit to meet the Red Sox for the start of their three-game series there Tuesday, and then return with the team to Boston before two more preparatory starts at Class AAA Pawtucket. He mentioned June 16 as a possible return, which would be a Tuesday in Fenway Park against Florida. Five days after that would be his next, tentative start, which would be a Sunday afternoon game in Boston against Atlanta.

Greenville News

Way to play the cards close to the vest there Theo. At least we now know that we will have Smoltz soon. This, along with the return of Jed Lowrie around the All Star Break, could afford the Red Sox some flexibility with the roster, assuming Julio Lugo or Nick Green build up some trade value. It'd would be interesting to see the Sox be both buyers and sellers at the deadline.

On to other news - Jacoby Ellsbury will be batting lower in the lineup more often against LHP, much like he did on Sunday against the Blue Jays and lefty Ricky Romero.

Leadoff hitter Jacoby Ellsbury moved down to the No. 8 spot. Dustin Pedroia moved up one spot to No. 1, while J.D. Drew moved up to No. 2, with Kevin Youkilis, Jason Bay and Mike Lowell sticking in the Nos. 3-5 spots. With David Ortiz still at No. 6) stuck in his slump and the Blue Jays starting a southpaw, Francona opted to rejigger the order.

"I’m just trying to maximize some of the on-base stuff, especially against a lefty. And then where (Ellsbury’s) hitting today, if he runs, maybe he can be more aggressive," said Francona. "There’s just some things we can use to help us score some runs."

Boston Herald

The jumbled line up produced 8 runs, and apparently Tito loves the concept of going with what's worked in the past, as he's using the same lineup tonight. The lineup (Pedroia, Drew, Youkilis, Bay, Lowell, Ortiz, Varitek, Ellsbury,and Green) is close to what I'd like to see Tito use full time, but if you have other ideas, let's hear them.

Ells has been struggling against LHP his entire career. Compared to his OPS+ in general, his OPS+ is 83 against LHP, while his OPS+ against RHP is 106. If Tito were to take this a step further, he might platoon Ells with Rocco Baldelli, who has been almost the opposite. His OPS+ against LHP, relative to his overall OPS+, is 119, whileonly 92 against RHP. This would require Rocco to stay healthy though, and would mean that Tito is keeping them both relatively low in the lineup.