Outfielder Chris Durbin, who was expected to return to the Portland Sea Dogs for a third season, told the Red Sox he has retired. Durbin was an Eastern League All-Star in 2005. He reported to the Red Sox minor league camp at the start of this month, but recently left. I will have more on Durbin's decision in Friday's Press Herald.

A former Sea Dogs outfielder announced some good news. David Murphy and his wife Andrea are expecting their first baby.

First-baseman Jeremy West and outfielder Matt Van Der Bosch are here in Clearwater with the big-league club. Both said they expect to be back with the Sea Dogs this season. West is sporting eyeglasses for the first time.

ESPN's Gary Thorne is working today's game. He has another baseball game tomorrow, but his mind will be on the NCAA hockey tournament Friday night. "Go Black Bears," Thorne said when he saw a reporter from Maine (that would be me). Thorne, of course, is the former radio voice of the University of Maine hockey team.

Talk to you after the game.

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