21-year old lefty swinging Lars Anderson is the #3 prospect in the Red Sox’ minor league system according to Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook. He appears to be the 1B of the future for the Red Sox with Kevin Youkilis moving to 3B. Anderson has played in 30 games in A-Ball this season and he is 32 for 116 (.276 avg, .873 OPS) with 21 runs scored, 5 homers and 15 RBIs. Anderson has a sweet stroke from the left side and he should add more power as he gets more experience.

Jonathan Papelbon and Hideki Okajima are both off to great starts to the 2008 season for the Red Sox. Papelbon has pitched in 15 games this season and he is 2-0 with 10 saves, a 1.65 ERA and a 0.67 WHIP. Papelbon has whiffed 21 batters and walked only 1 in 16.1 innings. Papelbon has converted all 10 of his save opportunities. Okajima has done a great job usually working in the 8th inning. Okajima has pitched in 14 games this season and he is 1-0 with 1 save, a 0.64 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. He has whiffed 13 batters in 14 innings. The Red Sox need some of their other relievers to pitch well to get the ball to Okajima and Papelbon late in games.

It appears that Mike Timlin could be nearing an end to his time with the Red Sox as age appears to be catching up to him. Timlin has pitched in 10 games this season for the Red Sox and he is 2-2 with a 12.79 ERA and a 2.68 WHIP. Timlin has allowed 14 hits (2 of them homers) in only 6.1 innings this season. The Red Sox will likely use Timlin early in games until he can be trusted again.

The Red Sox have placed rookie outfielder Brandon Moss on the 15-day disabled list after he underwent an appendectomy. He will miss at least three weeks and then he will likely go on a rehab assignment. Moss has played in 6 games this season for the Red Sox and he is 6 for 21 (.286 avg, .889 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 2 homers and 3 RBIs. Moss will be replaced on the roster by righty reliever Craig Hansen. Hansen is a much hyped prospect who has never done well in the majors. He has pitched in 2 games for the Red Sox this season and he is 0-1 with a 8.10 ERA and a 1.80 WHIP. Hansen was outstanding in AAA ball this season so maybe there is some hope for him. Hansen pitched in 11 games (0 starts) in AAA this season and he was 1-0 with a 1.62 ERA and a 0.66 WHIP. Hansen whiffed 17 batters and only allowed 6 hits in 16.2 innings in AAA ball.

The Red Sox have placed reserve 1B Sean Casey on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hip flexor. Casey has played in 17 games this season for the Red Sox and he is 18 for 52 (.346 avg, .886 OPS) with 6 runs scored and 8 RBIs. Casey did a good job essentially filling in for Mike Lowell while he was injured. Lowell is back in the starting lineup tonight for the Red Sox. The Red Sox have recalled outfielder Brandon Moss to replace Casey on the roster. Moss has played in 24 games in AAA ball this season and he is 22 for 82 (.268 avg, .764 OPS) with 11 runs scored, 1 homer, 12 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Moss played in both games in the opening series of the season in Japan for the Red Sox and he was 2 for 8 (.250 avg, .875 OPS) with 1 run scored, 1 homer and 2 RBIs.