If you saw the story in today's Press Herald about Justin Masterson making today's start for the Boston Red Sox, you'll notice a list of pitchers who began their season in Portland and then made their Major League debut the same year.

Of the six, only Clay Buchholz got a win.

Here's that list again:

Abe Alvarez, July 22, 2004 (loss to Orioles)
Jonathan Papelbon, July 31, 2005 (no decision vs. Twins)
David Pauley, May 31, 2006 (no decision, vs. Blue Jays)
Kason Gabbard, July 22, 2006 (loss to Mariners)
Devern Hansack, Sept. 23, 2006 (loss to Blue Jays)
Clay Buchholz, Aug. 17, 2007 (win over Angels)

If Masterson has his sinker going, he's got a chance. That is likely the scouting report that catcher Kevin Cash has to work with (Jason Varitek is still sick and manager Terry Francona said he will not catch today).

Masterson replaces Craig Hansen on the roster. And while Hansen gave up the game-winning homer in Wednesday night's loss, all reports say his stuff was good. He'll be back.

Masterson will likely come back to Portland after today's game, but he should not be there long. Time to look for a replacement in Lancaster. Christopher Jones, 23 (29th pick, '05) just threw a 3-hitter over 5 2/3 innings on Wednesday (1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K). His ERA is 4.00.

Then there is Tony Bajoczky, 23 (34th round, '07) who has a 2.70 ERA in Lancaster.

Maybe Felix Doubront could skip from Greenville to Portland? Doubront, 20, who signed out of Venezuela when he was 17, pitched 5 innings of shutout ball Wednesday. (4 H, 1 R, 0BB, 7 K). He's 4-0 with a 0.87 ERA.

More than likely, Doubront is headed for windy Lancaster.

In Portland, outfielder Mickey Hall is expected to be the replacement for the injured Jay Johnson. Hall, a second round draft pick out of high school in 2003, will turn 23 next month.

He can become a minor league free agent after this season, so the Red Sox have to start giving him a look at a higher level.

So far, Hall has a career average of .240. They only exception to that was a .301 clip in 82 games in Lancaster last year. In 12 games this year, he was batting .216. in Lancaster.

I'll check back from Fenway. As Masterson told me Wednesday night, "it's going to be a whole lot of fun."

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