Roster update: Corey traded, Colon strong, Lowrie, Tavarez, Alvarez

Boston traded reliever Bryan Corey to the San Diego Padres yesterday for either cash or a PTBNL. I think it’s a good move for Corey, who stands to get more playing time for the Pads; I think it also shows the front office’s growing confidence in young arms like Craig Hansen and Justin Masterson, who could stick in the Sox bullpen if injuries strike.

16-12: Lester shines, Youkilis delivers walk-off, 1-0

Boston fans were treated to yet another pitcher’s duel tonight, as Jon Lester and Roy Halladay (2-4) took a 0-0 game through eight innings. Lester was masterful, and gave up only a single to Lyle Overbay for eight frames, but Jonathan Papelbon (1-0) came in to pitch the 9th and wound up with the win in the 1-0 victory. Halladay pitched his fourth consecutive complete game, but took the loss on a walk-off single by Kevin Youkilis with two outs in the bottom of the 9th. Halladay has thrown four consecutive complete games before. When that guy is healthy, he is just a groundball machine (15 in this game, though Lester matched that total tonight).

15-10: Tampa Bay defense downs Sox, 5-4

It would have been nice to come away with an easy win in game 1 of this series in Tampa, but Tim Wakefield just didn’t have it tonight. Still, the Sox rallied to tie the game at 4-4 in the 6th inning, and the bullpen did their job admirably. With 10 hits and 5 walks, the Red Sox threatened several times, but stranded 24 baserunners in this one. Tampa Bay took away hits with good defensive plays, and Boston hit into inning-ending double plays in the 10th and 11th innings, letting this one slip away, 5-4. Our defense did a good job too, as Tampa left 23 men on base; it was a frustrating game that way.

Corey up, Masterson down

With Justin Masterson returning to Portland, pitcher Bryan Corey is rejoining the Sox bullpen for this weekend’s series in Tampa Bay.

Hopefully, we won’t need him with Tim Wakefield on the mound, who owns a 9-1 record and 2.41 ERA in 14 starts lifetime at Tropicana Field.

5-6: Wang 2-hits Sox, 4-1

It was the first Red Sox-Yankees contest of the season, and New York came in a bit banged up. They are likely without Derek Jeter for this whole series. But last night, it didn’t matter, as Chien-Ming Wang (3-0) threw a complete game and completely throttled the Sox lineup all night. The wet, drizzly conditions didn’t make it any easier.

5-5: Sox outslug Detroit, 12-6

Yesterday was Japanese Day at Fenway. The AP writes that two ninjas sparred as part of the festivities. Uh, that looks more like kendo to me. A 10-second trip to Wikipedia could have avoided that cultural faux pas…

4-5: Lester, bullpen falter in loss to Detroit, 7-2

The Detroit Tigers finally got their first win today, holding on to a 4-2 lead through seven before running away with it in the 8th inning. Boston lost Mike Lowell very early, after he sprained his thumb on his glove hand diving for a grounder toward the bag in the top of the 2nd. That necessitated Kevin Youkilis moving across the diamond to third, and Sean Casey filling in at first. Lowell should be day-to-day.

Red Sox trade for Eric Hull

Boston completed a minor league trade yesterday, sending 23-year old shortstop Christian Lara to the Los Angeles Dodgers for 28-year old right-handed reliever Eric Hull.

Hull was used as a starter until 2005, then was moved to the bullpen, where he has excelled (against younger competition). The Red Sox acquired Hull to bolster their bullpen depth, with the recent loss of Kyle Snyder and the impending loss of another pitcher without options when Mike Timlin returns (probably Bryan Corey). He has toiled in the Dodgers system for 6 seasons and pitched just 6 2/3 innings at the Major League level. He has compiled a 3.37 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 8.64 K/9 over those minor league seasons. Hull is a small pitcher, standing just 5′ 11″ and 190 lbs, but he can hit the low 90s with his fastball and features a hard curve around 78-79 mph. He also experimented with a changeup last season.

Lara, also small at 5′ 11″ and 150 lbs, is a good defensive shortstop, and has flashed some speed. He was once the Red Sox’ top SS prospect, but has failed to develop at the plate as expected, probably suiting him better for the National League. He has not advanced past High-A in four minor league seasons.

Beckett, Timlin nearing return

The good news for Red Sox Nation: Josh Beckett is ready to rock and roll. He is scheduled to take the ball Sunday against Roy Halladay.

And the good news, part 2: Mike Timlin is nearing his return to the active roster as well. He is scheduled to throw off a mound today, then report to Pawtucket for a couple of tune-up outings first.

3-1: Lester, bullpen shutout A’s, 5-0

It’s only April 3rd, but already 2008 has been full of ups and downs for Jon Lester (1-1). Luckily for the Sox, yesterday was a pretty big up for him. Facing the Oakland Athletics for the second time in two starts, Lester tossed 6 2/3 shutout innings en route to his first win. He threw 53 of 94 pitches for strikes, allowing three hits and three walks. That’s great for Lester, though I wouldn’t go so far as to say that he was economical, as the Sox turned three key double plays in consecutive innings, which helped Lester a lot.