« Timlin up; Romero out | Main | Odds and ends from Phoenix »

Hello from Arizona!

PHOENIX - The Red Sox are trying to make sure everyone gets a rest in these non-DH days here at Chase Field. Tonight, Mike Lowell is taking a breather with Kevin Youkilis starting at third base.

Manny Ramirez also gets the night off. Terry Francona said it was not due to Ramirez being hit in the left hand/wrist last night, but Ramirez' unfamiliarity with pitcher Micah Owings and just a good time for a day off. David Ortiz will sit tomorrow against Randy Johnson.

It was about 100 degrees today in Phoenix, but right now the roof is closed and the air conditioning is blasting on the field which creates a comfortable atmosphere for BP.

Mike Timlin is active and J.C. Romero has been designated for assignment. The Sox have 10 days to deal him, and it appears Theo Epstein had a few teams interested but was unable to pull off a deal in time for the move. Most teams realized that the Sox would have to release him at some point. There are teams, like the Tigers, in need of a lefty in the bullpen and they might be interested once the 10-day period is up.

Francona doesn't quite know yet how he'll use Timlin.

Here are the lineups:

Arizona:

LF Eric Byrnes
CF Chris Young
2B Orlando Hudson
1B Tony Clark
3B Mark Reynolds
SS Stephen Drew
RF Carlos Quentin
C Miguel Montero
P Micah Owings

BOSTON:

SS Julio Lugo
CF Coco Crisp
1B David Ortiz
3B Kevin Youkilis
RF J.D. Drew
C Jason Varitek
LF Eric Hinske
2B Alex Cora
P Julian Tavarez