redsoxman
02-27-2004, 10:59 PM
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- In a telling sign that the start of the Grapefruit League schedule is drawing near, Red Sox manager Terry Francona has set his rotation for the first four games.
Derek Lowe -- who will be the third starter when the season starts -- opens up the exhibition schedule with a start in next Thursday night's game against the Twins. That game will be played at Lee County Stadium, the Twins' home in Fort Myers.
Tim Wakefield will go against Boston College Friday afternoon at City of Palms Park, and Curt Schilling will pitch the nightcap of that day-night doubleheader vs. Northeastern.
For Schilling, it will be his unofficial debut in a Red Sox uniform. He is expected to have his official Sox unveiling on April 6 at Camden Yards in the second game of the regular season.
Side-winder Byung-Hyun Kim will pitch the third exhibition game on March 6 against the Twins, also at Lee County Stadium.
Rounding out the initial top five will be Bronson Arroyo, who gets the nod in what will be a packed City of Palms Park on March 7 against the Yankees.
Don't be alarmed that ace Pedro Martinez isn't in the first five slots. In recent years, Martinez has taken a more conservative program during the spring. But he should be primed and ready to take the ball on April 4, when the Sox open their season against the Orioles.
Francona doesn't have a target date for Martinez's first exhibition start.
"When he's ready. We'll get him in when he's ready to pitch," Francona said. "I don't think he knows yet, so we're not going to know. He knows his body better than we do."
According to Francona, Martinez will long toss for the next week, and probably throw his first side session off the mound in three or four days.
As for Arroyo, he will be used primarily as a starter during Spring Training, but is likely to open the season as the team's long man and spot starter.
"In our opinion you can't just have five guys be stretched out," Francona said. If something happens to a pitcher and you don't have anybody stretched out, that's a bad mistake. I think most teams do it this way."
Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Derek Lowe -- who will be the third starter when the season starts -- opens up the exhibition schedule with a start in next Thursday night's game against the Twins. That game will be played at Lee County Stadium, the Twins' home in Fort Myers.
Tim Wakefield will go against Boston College Friday afternoon at City of Palms Park, and Curt Schilling will pitch the nightcap of that day-night doubleheader vs. Northeastern.
For Schilling, it will be his unofficial debut in a Red Sox uniform. He is expected to have his official Sox unveiling on April 6 at Camden Yards in the second game of the regular season.
Side-winder Byung-Hyun Kim will pitch the third exhibition game on March 6 against the Twins, also at Lee County Stadium.
Rounding out the initial top five will be Bronson Arroyo, who gets the nod in what will be a packed City of Palms Park on March 7 against the Yankees.
Don't be alarmed that ace Pedro Martinez isn't in the first five slots. In recent years, Martinez has taken a more conservative program during the spring. But he should be primed and ready to take the ball on April 4, when the Sox open their season against the Orioles.
Francona doesn't have a target date for Martinez's first exhibition start.
"When he's ready. We'll get him in when he's ready to pitch," Francona said. "I don't think he knows yet, so we're not going to know. He knows his body better than we do."
According to Francona, Martinez will long toss for the next week, and probably throw his first side session off the mound in three or four days.
As for Arroyo, he will be used primarily as a starter during Spring Training, but is likely to open the season as the team's long man and spot starter.
"In our opinion you can't just have five guys be stretched out," Francona said. If something happens to a pitcher and you don't have anybody stretched out, that's a bad mistake. I think most teams do it this way."
Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.