29-year old righty starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka is going to be back with the Red Sox this weekend. He was awesome in his AAA rehab assignment. He started 3 games in AAA-ball this season and he was 2-0 with a 1.62 ERA and a 0.72 WHIP. The thing that really pops off the stat sheet on Dice-K’s rehab assignment was the fact that he only walked 1 batter in 16 2/3 innings pitched. If Matsuzaka comes right after hitters with his good stuff instead of nibbling all the time he could have a monster year for the Red Sox the rest of the way.

UPDATE: (5/2/2010) - The Red Sox have designated veteran lefty reliever Alan Embree for assignment to make room on the roster for Matsuzaka. Embree didn’t even get to pitch for the Red Sox this season before getting let go.

The Red Sox have designated 27-year old righty swinging infielder Kevin Frandsen for assignment to make room on the roster for 40-year old lefty reliever Alan Embree who has been promoted to the show. Frandsen played in 17 games in AAA this season and he was 16 of 62 (.258 avg, .746 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 2 homers, 4 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. The Red Sox won’t get to keep Frandsen as he has been claimed off waivers by the Angels. Alan Embree pitched in 8 games in AAA-ball this season and he was 0-0 with a 3.68 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP. He only allowed 2 hits in 7 1/3 innings in AAA showing that he still has pretty good stuff.

38-year old switch hitting catcher Jason Varitek has taken pretty well to his new job as a back up to Victor Martinez behind the plate. In his first 7 games of the year, Varitek is 7 for 23 (.304 avg, 1.246 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 2 doubles, 4 homers and 4 RBIs. Despite his hot start with the bat I don’t see Varitek getting more playing time any time soon with Martinez at catcher and Kevin Youkilis at 1B. Still, Varitek won’t get wore out this way and he will be a asset if the keeps swinging the bat the way he is right now. Varitek’s hitting has been a very nice surprise for the Red Sox during their slow start this season and I think he can keep up the good work as long as they watch his workload.

The Red Sox have designated 26-year old righty reliever Luis Sano for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for newly acquired outfielder Jonathan Van Every. Sano pitched in 4 games (0 starts) in AA-ball this season and he was 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.83 WHIP. The Red Sox probably hope that Sano clears waivers as they like his arm.

The Red Sox have acquired 30-year old lefty swinging outfielder Jon Van Every from the Pirates for a player to be named later. Van Every played in 10 games in AAA-ball for the Pirates so far this season and he was 11 for 35 (.314 avg, .911 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 2 homers, 4 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Van Every is coming back to the Red Sox who are the only team he has ever played for in the major leagues. Van Every has played in 18 games in his career with the Red Sox and he is 8 for 28 (.286 avg, .819 OPS) with 1 run scored, 1 homer and 8 RBIs. The cost was probably right for the Red Sox to bring Van Every back to help in the outfield for now. The Red Sox sent Josh Reddick to AAA to make room on the active roster for Van Every. Reddick played in 3 games for the Red Sox so far this season and he was 1 for 6 (.167 avg, .500 OPS) with a double and 2 RBIs. Reddick will get another chance at some point with the Red Sox this season as long as he plays well in the minors.