May 17, 2009

Youkilis And Matsuzaka Could Return This Week

Kevin Youkilis will play for Pawtucket this Monday and Tuesday (both DH and 1B) and be "ready to rock" on Wednesday, when he is eligible to come off the disabled list.

Daisuke Matsuzaka could return to the Red Sox rotation as early as this Friday, when the Mets visit Fenway.

Gumball Bailey had about 80 family and friends from Kelso, Washington, at Psycho Field yesterday -- and they got to see him knock his second career home run. Bailey is hitting only .173, but has done well against lefties (5-for-13, .385).

Jacoby Ellsbury has improved his on-base percentage -- though among qualifying leadoff hitters, his .335 is 23rd, third worst in baseball. During his current 12-game hitting streak, he is batting .357, but his OBP is only .390 (only three walks in 59 plate appearances).

Over the last month, Jason Varitek has slumped back to his 2008 form (.220/.313/.359). In his last 18 games (since April 22), he is hitting .217/.304/.377. ... Jason Bay is slugging .704 since April 24 (22 games) and .755 since May 4.

Ramon Ramirez has given up only one run this year -- in 19 innings (0.44 ERA). He has also allowed only one of 12 inherited runners to score. ... Manny Delcarmen has allowed only two earned runs (though five overall) in 17.2 innings (1.02 ERA). ... Hideki Okajima has not been scored upon in his last 8 appearances (10.1 innings).

And: I updated Schadenfreude 82 with Huff mocking Joba on the back page of Monday's Daily News. Not sure why I missed it originally.

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