Boston Red Sox News

After allowing just three hits over seven scoreless frames vs. the Red Sox on May 7, Twins left-hander Scott Diamond takes the ball opposite Ryan Dempster in Saturday night's game at Target Field.

David Ross was expected to rejoin the Red Sox this weekend in hopes of playing on Sunday when he is eligible to come off the seven-day disabled list.

Manager John Farrell said that he'd spoken with injured reliever Joel Hanrahan, who had season-ending Tommy John surgery on Thursday in Florida.

Shane Victorino's no stranger to back problems, so this time around, the Red Sox's right fielder knows he's better off playing it safe.

Every lineup, every day, as they are made public by the clubs.

Shane Victorino made another fine catch for the Red Sox on Thursday night, running into the wall in right to rob the Rays' Jose Lobaton of extra bases in the bottom of the eighth inning. But there was a price to be paid. Victorino wrenched his lower back on the play and had to exit the game in the bottom of the ninth.

The Red Sox were down to their last strike when Will Middlebrooks reversed their fortunes dramatically. The slugger turned on a 1-2, 85-mph changeup from Rays closer Fernando Rodney with two outs in the top of the ninth and drilled a three-run double that led Boston to a 4-3 victory on Thursday in the rubber match of a three-game set.

Through all of the controversy revolving around him, Clay Buchholz has amassed a sterling 6-0 record and 1.69 ERA through eight starts. The Red Sox right-hander will face off with a powerful Twins offense in Friday's opener, opposing Minnesota righty Vance Worley.

Red Sox reliever Joel Hanrahan underwent surgery on Thursday to repair his flexor tendon and also had Tommy John surgery.

If the season were to end today, Boston's John Farrell would be American League Manager of the Year. What Farrell has done with the Red Sox mess is not impressive; it is amazing.

Look for Andrew Bailey to be back in the Boston bullpen on Monday night, when the Red Sox open a three-game series in Chicago against the White Sox.

A perplexing slump that has lasted over a year for former elite Red Sox setup man Daniel Bard seemed to hit rock bottom on Wednesday night, when the right-hander walked five batters in an inning-plus for Double-A Portland.

It's hard to believe Stephen Drew's slump was such a big topic of conversation earlier in the season. These days, he is one of the most productive hitters the Red Sox have.

Every lineup, every day, as they are made public by the clubs.

Jon Lester, who is still six months shy of his 30th birthday, joined select company on Wednesday night when he moved into fifth place on the Red Sox's all-time strikeout list.

An eight-run uprising in the third inning, which included four straight knocks with runners in scoring position, seemed to take the weight of the world off the shoulders of the Red Sox, who rolled to a 9-2 victory over the Rays on Wednesday night at Tropicana Field.

Coming off a 13-strikeout performance, Alex Cobb starts opposite Felix Doubront as the Rays and Red Sox close out their three-game series Thursday night at Tropicana Field.

Although the Red Sox's bats have gone ice-cold in May -- particularly with runners in scoring position -- manager John Farrell doesn't think now is the time to make a significant lineup shuffle.

When Felix Doubront takes the mound for the Red Sox on Thursday night at Tropicana Field, it will be a lot more than just another start.

Left-hander Franklin Morales will make his fourth appearance of his Minor League rehab assignment on Saturday, when he again pitches for Triple-A Pawtucket.