Justin Masterson pitches for the Sea Dogs today in Manchester. Big day for the Dogs (who are tied with New Hampshire) and Masterson, who was speculated (by Sports Illustraed) to be headed for a September call-up to Boston.

Who else could be called up? Shortstop Jed Lowrie was a possibility, until they signed Royce Clayton.

But if you really want to see a shortstop, there is a 17-year-old in Lowell.

But first, Masterson. It was thought that his sinker might play well in the Red Sox bullpen. But, after giving up only six earned runs in his first six games, he's been roughed up in his last two starts (15 ER).

Masterson was given a week's rest (the convenient calf muscle strain that seems to inflict so many pitchers who need a break) and returns today.

When Royce Clayton was signed, it was said to give the Red Sox another middle infielder for September (when rosters can expand to 40). Clayton went 3-for-5 Saturday for Pawtucket, with two doubles and two RBI.

With Clayton, the chances of bringing Jed Lowire up in September decreased. Lowrie, who batted .297 for Portland, is htting .293 for Pawtucket.

The Red Sox 40-man roster currently has 39 (with Matt Clement not counting because he is on the 60-man disabled list). Brendan Donnelly could also go on the 60-man, which could would leave two spots on the 40-man.

Boston is likely to add Clayton and (maybe) someone else. Among the remote choices are Masterson, Lowrie, or catcher Dusty Brown (if Doug Mirabelli has not recovered well enough and the Sox don't opt for George Kottaras, who has struggled this year).

One last note on shortstops. The Red Sox have Lugo and Lowrie. But remember the name of Moises Oscar Tejeda, 17, of the Dominican Republic. He was recently promoted to Lowell from the Gulf Coast League. he's hitting .366 in nine games.

Tejeda was one of two teen-agers from the D.R. who received $500,000 signing bonuses last year. The other was outfielder Engel Beltre, who went to Texas in the Gagne deal.

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