Spring Rotation Set

The Grapefruit League games begin next Thursday night. A tentative rotation:

March 2 - Twins: Jonathan Papelbon
March 3 - Boston College: Curt Schilling
          Northeastern: Matt Clement
March 4 - Pirates: Josh Beckett
March 5 - Twins: Bronson Arroyo
          Australian national team: Tim Wakefield 

Today: Wakefield, Beckett, Papelbon, Arroyo and Jon Lester were each expected to throw eight minutes (35-50 pitches) of batting practice today.

Pitching coach Dave Wallace underwent hip replacement surgery on Thursday, and will likely not return to the Red Sox in 2006. Chris Snow quotes Curt Schilling as saying Wallace "literally almost died" last week. Al Nipper has taken over the pitching coach duties.

Enrique Wilson, a non-roster invitee: "[Manny] wants to play here. That's what he told me [last week]." John Henry: "If Enrique Wilson said it, we know it's the truth."