Masterson's Role Still Undecided

Justin Masterson's role to begin the season remains (publicly, at least) undecided. In a minor league game on Saturday, he pitched four innings (65 pitches), allowing two runs on one hit and one walk, while striking out five.

They said that this would be my last for-sure start . It doesn't mean it couldn't be my last one.

Terry Francona:

We'll probably make some decisions in the next couple days on which way to go with some of the pitching. Masterson could be one of them too.

Or could not, I suppose. If the recent reports on Brad Penny are accurate, it sounds like he'll be ready when the team needs a fifth starter in mid-April. If not, then Masterson might fill in for a start or two.

Francona, on Junichi Tazawa (12 IP, 5 hits):

I know it's spring training, but it's still fun to watch. He's 1.1 to the plate. You can't run on him. He throws strikes, you can't run, he gave up two hits, how do you score?

Josh Bard signed a minor league deal with the Nationals. No word whether he accepted the deal at 4 AM.

1 PM: Josh Beckett faces the Phillies.