Red Sox Updates; Rizzo, Bard, Okajima

Not a lot of news lately; the Sox wrapped up a hellish road trip and instead of getting back on friendly grass of Fenway Park last night the game gets rained out and we have nothing to switch to as the Celtics can’t close out a series on the road — again. At least they are Sox playing two today.

Terrible news yesterday as the Sox announced big-time hitting prospect Anthony Rizzo is being treated for lymphoma. Apparently they caught it early and he should have it beaten in about six months. Still, Lester, Kessel and now Rizzo… this has not been a fun stretch.

In happier prospect news, Daniel Bard is flying north this morning to join the Sea Dogs. After a miserable 2007, something finally clicked last winter while pitching in Hawaii and so far this year he has been nearly unhittable in low-A Greenville. He posted a 0.64 ERA while amassing 43 strikeouts and only 4 walks in 28 innings of relief work for the Drive. Instead of sending him back to pitchers hell in Lancaster, CA the Sox decided the best place for his next challenge is Portland. Look for him to continue pitching in two-inning stints every few days.

The Providence Journal is reporting this morning that Hideki Okajima has been pitching with a sore left wrist and is now being shut down for a few day of rest.  I find it interesting that the Sox decided to pitch him in the Baltimore series when they could have piggybacked a few days of rest with Thursday’s offday.  Here’s to hoping Hansen and Delcarmen are given first cracks are high leverage relief innings today.