Jun 8, 2009 11:02 am US/Eastern
What Will Happen To Lugo, Penny And Dice-K?
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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Julio Lugo (file image)
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The Red Sox have some decisions to make soon about their shortstop and starting rotation.
WBZ's Dan Roche shared his thoughts on Sports Final Sunday night.
STARTING ROTATION
John Smoltz is getting closer to joining the rotation later this month.
So who gets moved – or does everybody stay?
Also, will the Red Sox
trade fifth starter Brad Penny?
"I don't know. You know what name I heard over there (Fenway Park) – they don't want to pull a Bronson Arroyo. When they dealt him away for Wily Mo Pena, injuries came up, so they're kind of hesitant right now to trade Brad Penny," Roche said.
Read: Roche's Blog: Starter Depth
If Penny stays, what happens to Daisuke Matsuzaka, who has struggled all season?
Dice-K said after his start Sunday he was very "plain" and couldn't get command of his pitches.
"It sounds to me like, he had the WBC (World Baseball Classic), he had the rest, now he has the strength and now almost for him, it's like spring training," Roche said.
Read: Roche Blog: Frustrating Sunday
"I don't know where you go with Dice-K."
"Maybe you go to a 6-man rotation for now and try to get Dice-K some extra work here when Smoltz comes back. Or maybe you put him in the bullpen for awhile here, if indeed, everybody is healthy, with all six starters, when Smoltz comes back."
Smoltz allowed one hit and one run while pitching six innings for the Pawtucket Red Sox in a rehab start against the Durham Bulls Saturday night.
It was his fourth rehab start overall and his longest so far.
TIME RUNNING OUT FOR LUGO?
The shortstop issue may leave
Julio Lugo as the odd man out.
He started the season on the disabled list after undergoing right knee surgery during spring training and has shared the position with Nick Green since Jed Lowrie went on the DL in April.
Lugo has started 22 games and at times looked as if he wasn't fully recovered from the injury.
He's hitting .256 with one homer and four RBIs, and has committed four errors.
"It could be the end of the line for Julio Lugo very soon. I wouldn't be surprised if perhaps they release him at some point," Roche said.
"When they try to settle this whole thing with Jed Lowrie, Nick Green, do they trade for another veteran shortstop? I think there's a lot of balls up in the air right now here, but I think their patience is running thin with Julio Lugo."
"He's not playing well and he'd be the first to admit it," Roche said.
"I think they like Nick Green, he helps contribute to a winning ballclub."
Lowrie started taking batting practice Friday and Red Sox manager Francona said things went well.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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