Over the Monster, a Boston Red Sox community

Right-hander John Smoltz (right shoulder surgery), outfielder Mark Kotsay (right elbow), shortstop Julio Lugo (right knee surgery), outfielder Jonathan Van Every (right ankle sprain) and right-hander Miguel Gonzalez (right elbow surgery) all went on the DL on Saturday retroactive to March 27.

Thought you all would like to know that tomorrow’s Red Sox vs. Mets exhibition game at Citi Field will be shown locally on MLB Network live beginning at 1:00 p.m. The normal MLB blackout rules have been lifted in this case to allow Red Sox fans the ability to see this game, which will be a simulcast of the WPIX-TV feed from New York.

None of the developments, revealed by manager Terry Francona, are surprising. The Red Sox will open the season with a top four of Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and Tim Wakefield. Masterson, who will throw two innings out of the bullpen Tuesday, will be a reliever this season.

Beckett will pitch the 2009 regular season opener versus the Rays on Monday, April 6 at Fenway Park. Lester will take the hill for the Red Sox on Wednesday, April 8 followed by Matsuzaka on April 9.

"[Jed Lowrie] will be a 40 to 50 double guy" - Peter Gammons, Baseball Tonight