Lester strong in Pawtucket

by Randy Booth on Apr 28, 2007 12:26 AM EDT in News

Jon Lester had his second-to-last rehab start in Pawtucket tonight. He pitched quite well:

Lester allowed three hits and no walks against Buffalo, finishing up with his sixth strikeout of the game on a 94 mph fastball to fan Bisons designated hitter Ryan Mulhern. Pitching in a hovering fog, Lester threw 84 pitches, 56 for strikes, and picked off a runner to end the fourth.

...

"He had a real good day yesterday, a very good day," Francona said. "He got a clean bill of health."

ESPN

Once Lester is ready, it looks like he'll take over the reigns as the number five guy in Boston's rotation. That'll push someone down to Pawtucket. I could foresee Kyle Snyder getting the demotion, as Joel Pineiro and JC Romero may be more valuable at this point in the season. Julian Tavarez will become the long-man in the bullpen.

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Re: Lester strong in Pawtucket

Snyder is out of options along with just about everybody else in the bullpen (except Papel-bot and Okajima). I think right now there is no one with options. So, unless Theo makes a trade that opens up a spot it would be a designated for assignment, and any one designated is going to be snatched by another team. Lester may stay down in Pawtucket until there is an injury.

I loathe the Yankees.

by exsubmariner on Apr 28, 2007 1:18 AM EDT reply actions

Re: Lester strong in Pawtucket

Pretty sure exsub is right, and I'm not sure if Okajima can be optioned. If the Sox choose to bring Lester up without an injury occurring, I could see Romero being DFA'd, unless a team desperate for a rotation plug-in offers us a low-upside AA corner IF or something for Snyder.

It's kind of sad, because he's(Romero) been attempting to do everything asked, including getting RHHs out, which he has proven over his career he cannot do.

"Interesting. No wait, the other thing. Tedious." -Bender Bending Rodriguez.

by Allen Chace on Apr 28, 2007 2:32 AM EDT reply actions

Re: Lester strong in Pawtucket

Are you insane Allen? There's no way you option Okajima regardless of the circumstances the way he's pitching.

"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.

by SoxDevil on Apr 30, 2007 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: Lester strong in Pawtucket

I wasn't suggesting that we send Okajima anywhere, much less the minors. I'm just not sure whether the contract he was given had language which would allow us to send him down even if we wanted to (not sure what the rules are).

"Interesting. No wait, the other thing. Tedious." -Bender Bending Rodriguez.

by Allen Chace on Apr 30, 2007 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions