Terry Francona made it official when he announced that Kevin Youkilis will make the 25-man roster come opening day.
Is David McCarty next? I'm thinking so. There really isn't anyone else that could fight McCarty for a spot at the moment. If Adam Stern (Rule-V draft pick) was healthy, then he'd have a great shot, but it looks like McCarty's job to lose. But lose to who? Right now there is no competition for him, especially with Adam Hyzdu gone.
With the recent additions, subtractions, injuries and everything else, I'll update my predicted opening day roster:
RHP Curt Schilling - ?
LHP David Wells
RHP Matt Clement
RHP Tim Wakefield
RHP Bronson Arroyo
Bullpen
RHP Keith Foulke
RHP Mike Timlin
LHP Alan Embree
RHP Matt Mantei
LHP John Halama
RHP Byung-Hyun Kim
Lineup
CF Johnny Damon
SS Edgar Renteria
LF Manny Ramirez
DH David Ortiz
1B Kevin Millar
RF Trot Nixon
C Jason Varitek
3B Bill Mueller
2B Mark Bellhorn
Bench
OF Jay Payton
IF Ramon Vasquez
C Doug Mirabelli
3B Kevin Youkilis
1B/OF David McCarty
I have a question mark by Curt Schilling, and still have him at the top of the rotation, because I'm not sure if he'll be on the disabled list or not. If he is on the DL, then we gain another spot on the roster.