Ted's Army: The Voice of Red Sox fans

Sox call up Embree

 Scott Lauber, via Over the Monster, reports

RedSox call up LHP Alan Embree, sent LHP Fabio Castro to Triple-A

So... now we've got someone new to blow leads for us.  Welcome back, Alan!

Kason Gabbard returns to McCoy on a cold, wet night

 

Lefty Kason Gabbard found his way back to the Red Sox organization when he was acquired from the Rangers for cash last April.  With Fabio Castro off of the Pawsox roster, Gabbard was the answer and flew in from Ft. Myers where he was pitching in extended spring training. Gabbard woke up to 70 degree temps, flew from Florida to Rhode Island, and took the mound when temps were in the low 40s. Kason threw 4 1/3, giving up 4 hits, 2 runs (2 ER), 5 walks, and 5 strikeouts.  

Former Sox outfielder Brandon Moss returned to McCoy, but on the other side as the starting right fielder for Indianapolis (Pittsburgh).  Moss went 1-4, scoring two runs and getting hit by with a fastball from Gabbard in the first. 

During the game we found out that Alan Embree had been called up to the big club. Fabio Castro was sent back down to Pawtucket to make room for the 40 year old lefty.  Embree had an initial deadline of 4/15 that extended to 4/30. Here is the final line on Embree in Pawtucket...7.1 IP, 3.68 ERA, 2 H, 3 ER, 6 K's, 5 BB.  The numbers are skewed a little due to the one outing where he pitched 1/3 of an inning giving up 4 walks, 3 earned runs, and one hit.  He has posted zeros across the board in his other outings for the most part and looked impressive at points.  I hope he could be a good contributor to the pen.  

After the game, he talked a little about his first start.   Download Kason Gabbard

Torey Lovullo gave his take on the weather, not yet knowing (at the time) that Embree had been called up, and on his teams 7-2 loss to Indianapolis. Download Torey Lovullo42710

Embree draws a line in the sand

Alan Embree has had enough of the waiting.  He's either going to the big club by the end of this week... or he's outta here.

"There's not going to be any extending of the deadline anymore. I've been a good soldier, I did whatever's asked, and I did what it took to get ready," Embree said today in Pawtucket, where he is working himself into major league shape.

"If something hasn't happened by the 30th, I think they know that I'm not going to consider staying. So it's pretty much cut-and-dried. If I don't hear anything, I get on a plane and head home until I have a new job," Embree said.

You look at the way this bullpen has performed so far and tell me why the Red Sox should let this guy walk?  How much worse can it get right now?

Ellsbury, Cameron Getting Healthy

From WEEI.com:

In a sign that both are making progress, Jacoby Ellsbury and Mike Cameron will be making the upcoming six-game road trip with the Red Sox. The two disabled players will be able to take part in baseball related activities, according to manager Terry Francona.

“If we weren’t able to do baseball things, we would’ve left them home,” Francona said. “I don’t think we have any idea on timetables, if they’re going to travel with us, that means they’re going to be able to do some baseball things, which is good.”

Francona also indicated that the disabled Cameron [lower abdominal strain] will likely be able to take part in some hitting on the trip while he continues his recovery.

Meanwhile, Ellsbury is technically eligible to come off the disabled list from a hairline fracture of four ribs on Tuesday.

Francona also stated that Lowrie, who's lost about 10 pounds from his bout with mono, has been able to work out in back-to-back days, and that Alan Embree "has been very efficient".

I imagine Embree is walking around with an extra hop in his step today after that glowing endorsement.

Matsuzaka pitches another strong outing for Pawtucket

(Getty Images)

Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched what seems to be his final rehab start for Pawtucket.  Daisuke pitched 5 2/3 innings giving up 6 hits, 4 runs (3 earned), and 8 strikeouts in Pawtucket's 8-4 win over LeHigh Valley .  He also gave up his first long ball of the season in the fifth to Iron Pigs catcher Dane Sardinha.  Daisuke posted his highest pitch count of the season, throwing 99 pitches (66 strikes)

In 3 starts with Pawtucket, Daisuke is 2-0 with a 1.86 ERA, 11 hits, 4 runs (3 ER), 13 K's, and 1 walk.  Opponents are batting a mere .186 off Daisuke and .056 with runners in scoring position.  

Daisuke continues to back up his statement that he is ready to return to the Majors. 

On a side note...

Alan Embree pitched another scoreless/hit-less inning.  In his last 3 appearances (3 IP), Embree has given up no hits, no walks, and struck out 2.   

Outfielder Daniel Nava and Infielder Kevin Frandsen were key contributors to help Matsuzaka get the victory in last nights Pawsox win.  Frandsen went 2-5 with 1 HR and 2 RBI.  Nava also went 2-5 with a double and 3 RBI. 

Ted's Army minor league report

Photo © Tedsarmy.com

It’s time to spotlight notable performances going on in the Sox farm system.  The Pawsox have started their season 3-5 and they have received a lot of attention early.  We have seen Daisuke pitch two outings and show everyone he may be ready to return to the big club.  Boof Bonser has struggled in his rehab appearances while Alan Embree has shown some decent stuff (with the exception of his April 12^th outing).

 Over the past week two Pawsox players have stood out above the rest. 

Outfielder Darnell McDonald continues to impress in Pawtucket. Last week Darnell McDonald batted .353 (6/17) with a home run, 2 doubles, and 1 RBI.  For the season McDonald has a .393 batting average and a .433 on base percentage.

Infielder Angel Sanchez also had a great week batting .429 (6/14), with 2 RBI.  Sanchez is behind McDonald with the second best batting average on the team with a .346 average. 

Yamaico Navarro, and Ray Chang had a stand out week with the Portland Sea Dogs. 

Last week, infielder Yamaico Navarro batted .357 (5/14) with 1 homer, 3 RBI, 3 walks, 1 double, and 2 stolen bags. 

Infielder Ray Chang has gone 4/10 with 3 doubles and 5 RBI.

No one has posted giant numbers yet but it is still very early. It is tough to play ball in April in New England, especially Maine.  Better baseball will come as the season progresses and the weather warms.

Embree sticking around... for now

Alan Embree could have opted out of his contract yesterday and tried to hook on with another team... but right now it looks like he'll stick around for a couple more weeks (final item in link) in an effort to to stick with the Sox.

The way the Sox pen has started out... Embree probably sees an opportunity if he hangs out for a little while.

UPDATE:  Dan Hoard reports the deadline has been pushed to April 30 and Embree is in uniform for the Pawsox