After being off for three days, the Boston Red Sox return to action tonight as the AL West-leading Texas Rangers come to Beantown for four games. They won’t be the only ones playing as some of the DL crew will also start getting back to action.

The Red Sox announced yesterday that reliever Manny Delcarmen and outfielder Jeremy Hermida will be coming to my neck of the wood here in Connecticut with the Portland Sea Dogs as they take on the New Britain Rock Cats. Also, Clay Buchholz will make a rehab start for the Pawtucket Red Sox on Friday night in Syracuse followed by Josh Beckett on Saturday night.

Declarmen will start for the Sea Dogs tonight and throw one inning while Hermida will DH tonight,  play the outfield on Friday and then DH on Saturday before heading back to Boston to be checked out by the medical staff.

Other than that it was relatively quiet as far as the Red Sox news went so for now enjoy the overnight links after the jump.

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Minor stops along the way [Boston Globe]

They’ve leaned on Lester [Boston Globe]

Let record show, Sox pretty good [Boston Globe]

Theo Epstein not thinking big [Boston Herald]

Red Sox’ time now [Boston Herald]

5 keys to Red Sox success [Boston Herald]

Minor step back to Clay Buchholz [Boston Herald]

Source: Royals would have to “win the trade” for DeJesus [Clubhouse Insider]

Red Sox off-day notes: Epstein looks to deal [CSN New England]

Lowell expected to rejoin Red Sox soon [ESPN Boston]

Top draft picks get first look at Fenway [Extra Bases]

Updates on the injured Red Sox [Extra Bases]

Francona on D&H: Ellsbury was ‘worried’ about being a distraction [Full Count]

Theo remembers the Steinbrenner who hated to lose [Full Count]

Red Sox up for exams [Full Count]

Theo Epstein’s take on the MLB trade market [Full Count]

Erin Andrews Still a Stranger, But That May Be Good Thing for Daniel Nava [NESN.com]

Jayson Werth, Kerry Wood Among Potential Trade Targets for Red Sox [NESN.com]

Terry Francona, Theo Epstein Reflect on George Steinbrenner [NESN.com]

Red Sox Practicing Patience as Injured Players Work Their Way Back to Health [NESN.com]

All-Star Nuggetpalooza (Part 2) [Nuggetpalooza]

Sox could make move to bolster relief corps [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Buchholz in line for rehab start Friday [Providence Journal]

Barrage of injuries not keeping Boston down [RedSox.com]

Buchholz has Pawtucket start awaiting him [RedSox.com]

Delcarmen feeling good, set to rehab [RedSox.com]

Beckett to throw rehab start on Saturday [RedSox.com]

For more slices of Boston Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal and WEEI websites.

Photo credit: AP Photos

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as some of the other sports. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below.

Thank you for stopping and by making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Football links

QB Zach Frazer: On Unitas Golden Arm Watch List [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

The Davey O’Brien QB Award: Big East 2, UConn 0. [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Five games to earn respect for the Big East [ESPN.com – Big East Blog]

Five games to fear in the Big East [ESPN.com – Big East Blog]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Maya Moore, Diana Taurasi Take Home 2010 ESPYs [SOX & Dawgs]

Auriemma opens practice to the press [Norwich Bulletin via the AP]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Video Evidence [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Mike Anthony answered a few questions in his mailbag [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Late night at the Greater Hartford Pro-Am [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]

Hasheen Thabeet Summer League Interview [UConn Huskies Basketball]

Freshman Napier Learning From Walker [Hartford Courant]

Other UConn related links

Baseball: Elliot to Play in NECBL All-Star Game [UConnHuskies.com]

Women’s lacrosse: Top of the world: Pippitt, Christie take their lacrosse talents to college [NCAdvertiser.com]

The UConn Huskies women’s basketball team is used to winning and not losing like they did at Wednesday night’s 2010 ESPYs at the Nokia Theatre LA Live in Los Angeles.

The UConn women’s basketball program had garnered eight nominations for the ESPYs but only came away with two.

Former Husky and current Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi was named as the Best WNBA Player. And if you blinked at all during the ESPYs telecast, you missed Maya Moore being named the Best Female College Athlete. Moore also won the award in 2009.

But like always, I’ve got you covered with the video:

{flowplayer}http://ianbethune.com/2010espy.flv{/flowplayer}

If you missed the telecast, I definitely suggest you try to catch at least the opening part and Seth Meyer’s monologue. Absolutely hilarious. Also be sure to check out the presentations for the Arthur Ashe Courage Award and the Jimmy V Award for Perserverance. Both of those moments were very moving.

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as some of the other sports. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below.

Thank you for stopping and by making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Football links

Easley And McClain At Autograph Signing In CT Saturday [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Big East mailbag [ESPN.com – Big East Blog]

Ex-Trojan Shoemate: ‘Hardest decision of my life’ [Orange County Register]

D.J. Shoemate Transfers to UConn:  Here Is What You Don’t KNow [Thoughts From a Fat White Guy]

Rivers’ Allen a Husky, not a Husker [ESPN Boston]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Taking a look back [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Auriemma Back On The UConn Recruiting Trail [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Team USA Hopes For Same All-Star Format Next Year [Hartford Courant]

Huskies recruiting sights set on U.S. U-17 team [New Haven Register]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Player Profile: Alex Oriakhi [UConn Huskies Basketball]

Other UConn related links

Branford’s Olt hits second homer in minor leagues [New Haven Register

Baseball: Ferriter Named MVP of ACBL All-Star Game [UConnHuskies.com]

Monday’s festivities at the 2010 MLB All-Star Game kicked off when New York Yankees skipper Joe Girardi chose Tampa Bay Rays pitcher David Price and deservedly so as the starter for the AL All-Star Team over Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester. Then Girardi made an announcement that Red Sox third baseman Adrian Beltre would not be playing in the game and would be replaced by Michael Young of the Texas Rangers.

Of course this turned out to be news to Beltre who was told about this upon his arrival. It was Beltre’s understanding that he would do some jogging and take part in the work out before ruling himself out of the game. And at the end of it all, Beltre is playing in the game tonight after declaring himself fit and ready to go.

The night ended with David “Jose according to Bobby Valentine” Ortiz taking the 2010 State Farm Home Run Derby crown with an 11 home run performance in the finals.

For Big Papi or Jose Ortiz, it’s was an emphatic FU to the folks who had/have written him off after his very slow start to the 2010 season. He’s turned around his dismal season and is once again the feared Big Papi. You know the one who gets intentional walks because no one wants to pitch to him.

And even before winning the Home Run Derby last night, he told reporters that he wants a contract extension to stay in Boston:

“I’m going to tell you, I ain’t going nowhere,” Ortiz said while sitting in the third-base dugout at Anaheim Stadium before winning Monday night’s All-Star Home Run Derby, in his fourth try.

“I don’t want one year. Why should I return for one year and go through the same [stuff] I’m going through now, just because it’s my last year? No. I like to be left alone when I’m playing baseball. I know how to clean my [stuff] up.”

The Red Sox hold an option on Big Papi for $12.5 million for next season with no buyout. It’s going to be very interesting to see how this plays out over the course of the offseason because I just don’t see Theo Epstein giving him an extension during the season.

That’s it for now. We’re out for the day so for now enjoy the overnight links after the jump.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

Ortiz a demolition man in derby [Boston Globe]

Confusion over, Sox’ 3B likely available to AL [Boston Globe]

Up to date on Pedroia [Boston Globe]

At full power [Boston Globe]

Mass. officials want Schilling firm to stay put [Boston Globe]

Love for David Ortiz goes deep [Boston Herald]

Red Sox midseason report card [Boston Herald]

Adrian Beltre surprised [Boston Herald]

Fame in sight for Jon Lester [Boston Herald]

David Ortiz power trip wins Derby [Boston Herald]

Ortiz not worried about his future just yet [CSN New England]

Big Papi is king of the derby [ESPN Boston]

Ortiz: I don’t want a one-year pact [ESPN Boston]

Ortiz still commands spotlight [ESPN Boston]

David Ortiz home run derby video links [Extra Bases]

Lester, Buchholz on long-term futures in Boston [Full Count]

Boras on Ellsbury: ‘Very cooperative effort’ [Full Count]

Votto gives thanks to Boston for All-Star berth [Full Count]

Father figure knows best: Ortiz beats Hanley in Home Run Derby [Full Count]

Six Former Portland Sea Dogs in MLB All-Star Game in Anaheim [NESN.com]

Jacoby Ellsbury Taking Proper Yet Unconventional Steps Toward Rejoining Red Sox [NESN.com]

Jon Lester Will Win AL Cy Young and Four Other Red Sox Predictions for Second Half [NESN.com]

Terry Francona’s Job in 2010 Season is Best in His Red Sox Career [NESN.com]

David Ortiz, Cy Young, Highlight Red Sox All-Time All-Star Team [NESN.com]

All-Star Nuggetpalooza! (Part One) [Nuggetpalooza]

Ortiz slugs his way Home Run Derby crown [Providence Journal]

Ailing Beltre expects to be in All-Star game [Providence Journal]

Plucky Red Sox team easy to like [Providence Journal]

Best and worst from the first half of the Red Sox’ season [Providence Journal]

Boston’s All-Star contingent enjoys festivities [RedSox.com]

Beltre good to go; M. Young not an All-Star [RedSox.com]

Papi pops, doesn’t stop until hitting Derby top [RedSox.com]

Papi’s resurgence shines brightly at Derby [RedSox.com]

All-Star notes: Ortiz offers ultimate punctuation [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

For more slices of Boston Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal and WEEI websites.

Photo credit: Getty Images

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as some of the other sports. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below.

Thank you for stopping and by making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Football links

Recruiting Analyst Lemming On Shoemate, Transfer To UConn [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Home-run hitters in the Big East [ESPN.com – Big East Blog]

More Big East grudge matches [ESPN.com – Big East Blog]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Quotes of the week [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

National Team To Play Two Exhibitions In Hartford [UConnHuskies.com]

USA women to play Australia, Spain in Hartford [CT Post]

Huskies recruiting sights set on U.S. U-17 team [New Haven Register]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Wizards reach agreement with Hilton Armstrong [Washington Post]

Other UConn related links

Baseball: DeLazzer Signs with Traverse City Beach Bums [UConnHuskies.com]

With 11 home runs in the final round, Boston Red Sox DH David “Jose according to Bobby Valentine” Ortiz has won the 2010 MLB State Farm Home Run Derby over Hanley Ramirez of the Florida Marlins who had five.

Photo credit: Getty Images

According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, Boston Red Sox third baseman Adrian Beltre will not play in the 2010 MLB All-Star Game tomorrow in Anaheim due to the left hamstring injury he suffered in yesterday’s game.

Beltre has been replaced on the AL roster by Michael Young of the Texas Rangers.

Update: Apparently  this was news to Beltre who said he was going to play in the game according to Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe.

“Already?” he said. “Who replaced me? And why did they replace me?”

He was clearly shocked and confused. No one had said anything to him, and he was under the impression that he was still on the roster — which, it turns out, he was.

“Good enough to play, I think,” he said, of his hamstring. “Nobody told me I was getting replaced. Who makes this decision?”

That’s because Beltre hasn’t yet been replaced on the roster. Rangers third baseman Young is not in Anaheim, and has not been told to come to Anaheim. For now, Beltre is on the roster, until he decides that he can’t play. Beltre will head over to Angel Stadium later on this afternoon to stretch and run, testing his hamstring to see if he will be healthy enough to play.

The Boston Red Sox are heading into the 2010 MLB All-Star break on a positive note after getting a 3-2 win yesterday afternoon over the Toronto Blue Jays behind a strong effort on the mound by Daisuke Matsuzaka and home runs from Darnell McDonald and David Ortiz.

It was a much needed win for the Red Sox as it allowed them to keep pace with the two teams they are chasing in the standings. The Red Sox enter the break trailing the New York Yankees by five games for first place in the AL East and are three games behind the Tampa Bay Rays for second place and in the AL wild card.

Ironically enough, the Red Sox have the fourth most wins in MLB this season but are in third place in their own division. This just tells you how tough the AL East is and will be for the rest of the season. It really could come down to who makes the best moves during the upcoming trade deadline frenzy.

The break couldn’t have come soon enough for the Red Sox either. With a good portion of the team on the disabled list and a few others battling nagging injuries, the All-Star break will give the team time to heal.

Surprisingly yesterday, the good Dice-K showed up. He attacked the strike zone and commanded the ball well with all of his pitches. Now if he just do this consistently, it could really help the Red Sox in the second half.

The good news for Red Sox fans is that Josh Beckett should be back soon. He made the first of two rehab starts yesterday for the Pawtucket Red Sox and looked good on the mound.

Beckett threw mostly fastballs in his 68 pitch, four inning effort. He retired 12 of the 14 batters he faced and allowed just two hits and one run while striking out four.

With the Red Sox off for the break, we’ll be sure to keep you updated on any news that comes about but for now enjoy the overnight links after the jump.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

All-Star Futures Notebook: Casey Kelly’s year of development [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

He was in control and in command [Boston Globe]

It strains the imagination: Now Beltre hurt [Boston Globe]

Beckett displays good form in rehab outing [Boston Globe]

Futures scouts are peer group [Boston Globe]

Light at end of tunnel for Sox [Boston Globe]

Recap: Red Sox 3, Blue Jays 2 [Boston Herald]

Sox miracle in bandages [Boston Herald]

Adrian Beltre limps into break [Boston Herald]

First half highs and lows [Boston Herald]

Josh Beckett quietly does job [Boston Herald]

Darnell McDonald super sizes effort [Boston Herald]

Black & blue crew [Boston Herald]

Sox end first half with solid win over Jays, 3-2 [CSN New England]

Lowrie headed to Pawtucket [ESPN Boston]

Francona: ‘I don’t remember doing it’ [ESPN Boston]

Beltre: ‘I won’t risk anything’ [ESPN Boston]

Roof, shadows cause difficulties [ESPN Boston]

McDonald continues to serve [ESPN Boston]

Red Sox: 88 down, 74 to go [Extra Bases]

McDonald’s heroics not done [Full Count]

Sox pitching prospect Pimentel gets a taste of Futures [Full Count]

Jays make three relievers available [Full Count]

Wagner ready to catch on in 2nd half [Full Count]

Ortiz to hit 6th in Home Run Derby [Full Count]

Adrian Beltre’s Strained Hamstring Shouldn’t Keep Him Down Too Long [Heidi Watney – NESN.com]

WAR, What Is It Good For? Picking All-Stars [Joe Posnanski – SI.com]

Ryan Kalish Scorches Triple-A, Kolbrin Vitek Debuts on Red Sox Prospects Rankings [NESN.com]

First-Rounder Kolbrin Vitek Impressing Lowell After Moving to Third [NESN.com]

Red Sox Draft Pick Anthony Ranaudo Excelling in Cape League [NESN.com]

Adrian Beltre Can’t Escape Injury Problems Before All-Star Break [NESN.com]

Red Sox End First Half on Positive Note, Optimistic About Second Half [NESN.com]

Can the Red Sox Reach 100 Wins This Season? [NESN.com]

Pawtucket Pitchers Happy to Watch and Learn from Visiting Josh Beckett [NESN.com]

Josh Beckett’s Rehab Start Highlights Strong PawSox Pitching Performance [NESN.com]

David Ortiz, Miguel Cabrera, Matt Holliday Bring Experience to Home Run Derby [NESN.com]

McDonald, Ortiz provide just enough offense [Providence Journal]

Beckett lets his pitching do the talking in Pawtucket [Providence Journal]

For most, All-Star break a chance to exhale [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Strain might derail Beltre’s All-Star appearance [Providence Journal]

Red Sox tab Wake to open second half [RedSox.com]

Francona pleased with club’s first half [RedSox.com]

Sox continue to struggle in day games [RedSox.com]

Cameron sits day after hit-by-pitch [RedSox.com]

Beltre exits, expects to play in All-Star Game [RedSox.com]

Papi, McDonald power Red Sox past Jays [RedSox.com]

Beckett sharp in first Triple-A rehab start [RedSox.com]

For Red Sox, first half a matter of rights and wrongs [Tony Massarotti – Boston Globe]

For more slices of Boston Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal and WEEI websites.

And if you must read the enemy papers, head over to The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star and Toronto Sun websites.

Photo credit: Getty Images

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as some of the other sports. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below.

Thank you for stopping and by making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Football links

UConn AD Jeff Hathaway On The Equity Study And More… [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

DC answered a few questions in his mailbag [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

U-M will have its hands full in season opener against UConn [Detroit News]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Stars at the Sun in rearview mirror [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Saving the best for last [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Stewart leads U.S. past Spain [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

USA Basketball announces exhibitions [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Auriemma, Huskies Lead Team USA [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn women clearly something special [CT Post]

Surprise! Ex-UConn women star for Team USA vs. WNBA [CT Post]

U.S. National Team Cruises Past WNBA All-Stars, 99-72 [Hartford Courant]

Team USA shines brightest [New Haven Register]

Auriemma dealing with a new level of pressure [New Haven Register]

UConn recruit has fun-loving flair [New Haven Register]

Stars At The Sun: This wasn’t a typical WNBA All-Star Game [Norwich Bulletin]

Maya’s summer with the stars [The Day]

Moore blends in with Team USA [ESPN.com]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Bradley Beats the Odds [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Bradley has come long way to get to UConn [New Haven Register]

Harkless eliminates UConn from consideration [NBE Basketball Report]

UConn experience prepared Stanley Robinson for shot with Magic [Orlando Sentinel]

Other UConn related links

Baseball: Springer and Barnes Named to Collegiate USA National Team [UConnHuskies.com]