Red Sox Spring Training News & Notes – 2/20

Pedro Martinez works with Daniel Bard during 2013 Red Sox spring training

To rephrase a famous Bob Marley line, "we be slacking" here on the Boston Red Sox news.

Part of it has to deal with my current health situation. The other part is in the past I've been able to post the NESN interviews and contest they do with the players.

But since the digital media person hasn't gotten back to me yet about the autoplay issue, I haven't and won't post the videos here. Autoplay is annoying just not to me but everyone out there. So until that's fixed don't expect anything but a link to any NESN videos.

I have been able to post videos however from NESN's competitor, CSN New England, because they don't have that autoplay issue.

But I digress.

So what's been going on in Red Sox camp that I've missed and you probably haven't.

Alfredo Aceves had another meltdown throwing live BP as he served up meatballs. It actually wouldn't surprise me if he's cut from the team. They really don't need that kind of presence on the team no matter how good of pitcher he is.

The Red Sox also announced their pitching plans for the college games against Northeastern and Boston College on Thursday.

Here's how that breaks down:

Northeastern: Joel Hanrahan, Daniel Bard, Andrew Miller, Alex Wilson, Clayton Mortensen, Pedro Beato, Anthony Carter.

BC: Koji Uehara, Andrew Bailey, Oscar Villarreal, Terry Doyle, Jose De La Torre, Junichi Tazawa, TBA.

And this morning, Torey Lovullo announced that the Red Sox will use mostly major leaguers against Northeastern and prospects against BC.

Here's how that breaks down:

Northeastern: Will Middlebrooks, Pedro Ciriaco, Dustin Pedroia, Jonny Gomes, Stephen Drew, Jacoby Ellsbury, Ryan Lavarnway, David Ross and Jarrod Saltalamacchia

BC: Xander Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley, Jr. and other minor leaguers.

And with spring training games starting for real on Saturday, here's how the Red Sox pitchers will be broken down:

Saturday vs. Rays: John Lackey (two innings or 35 pitches) followed by Drake Britton, Pedro Beato, Anthony Carter, Jose De La Torre, Oscar Villarreal, Alex Wilson and Steven Wright.

Sunday at Cardinals: Jon Lester (two innings or 35 pitches) followed by Rubby De La Rosa, Junichi Tazawa, Joel Hanrahan, Andrew Bailey, Andrew Miller and Koji Uehara.

Monday at Blue Jays: Steven Wright followed by Allen Webster, Terry Doyle, Jose De La Torre, Pedro Beato, Chris Carpenter and Anthony Carter.

Monday at Rays: Alfredo Aceves (two innings or 35 pitches followed by Chris Hernandez (two innings or 35 pitches) and Daniel Bard, Clayton Mortensen, Oscar Villarreal and Alex Wilson.

Saturday's game against the Rays will be televised so we'll all get our first look at Lackey pitching since the 2011 season.

I will leave you with this.

I promise to do better and provide the same coverage (without NESN video until problem is fixed) I have in the past as my health permits. I know a lot of you know what is going and if you don't, you can check out this link and use the password ian.

To see the links from the Red Sox media, please click on the continue reading button below if you're on the home page.

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Taking a turn at third [boston herald]

Worth another chance [boston herald]

Felix Doubront needs to shape up [boston herald]

Pedro Martinez perfect addition to staff [boston herald]

Buchholz: Lester should be Opening Day starter [rob bradford – weei.com]

Will John Farrell's focus on 'relentless' baserunning suit the Red Sox? [clubhouse insider]

Ciriaco hopes to continue to prove his worth [csn new england]

Varitek about to begin new life as Sox instructor [csn new england]

When Martinez speaks, Doubront will listen [csn new england]

Nieves ready to lead Red Sox staff in fresh start [csn new england]