Kyle Snyder is the first reliever to go, as he will reportedly be designated for assignment today, to make room for Josh Beckett's return.

The move makes sense. Snyder is a good guy with potential. But the promise never really materialized. The Red Sox have another long reliever/spot starter (Julian Tavarez).

Snyder walked two in Saturday's 10-2 loss to Toronto. It was a game that could make other decisions easier for the Red Sox.

Clay Buchholz showed his stuff, but he also showed his need for more polish. When Bartolo Colon is ready, Buchholz takes the ball from Pawtucket skipper Ron Johnson.

Also, Bryan Corey did himself no favors with his outing Saturday (One-third inning, 4 hits, 4 runs). When Mike Timlin returns, Corey may be following Snyder's footsteps.

In Triple-A Pawtucket, the pitching was good and bad. David Pauley, who remains an option as an emergency starter for Boston, pitched five innings in a 6-2 win over Indianapolis, in the first game of a doubleheader. Pauley allowed 2 hits, 1 unearned run, 0 walks, while striking out 3.

Edgar Martinez relieved in the game and showed a need for more command (1 inning, 3 walks).

In the second game, Charlie Zink was tagged for 6 runs (4 earned) on 4 hits and 4 walks in 3 innings, in an 8-0 loss.

Lefty Abe Alvarez, trying to re-create himself as a reliever, allowed 2 runs on 2 hits and 3 walks in 2 innings.

Brandon Moss went 2-for-2 in the first game, with a double and triple ... Chris Carter had four hits in the day.

In Double-A, the Portland Sea Dogs pitching continues to hold up, in a 2-1 win over New Britain (game-winning homer by Jeff Natale) ... In 2 games, the Portland staff has allowed 8 hits and 1 run.

In advanced Class A Lancaster, outfielder Reid Engel (2 hits, 1 homer) and third-baseman Jorge Jimenez (3-for-5) remain hot ... Lower CLass A Greenville was rained out.

For more on Lancaster's conditions, and the Sea Dogs, see my Sunday column.

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