Curt Schilling said he is ready to start playing catch today, the first throws that he hopes leads him back to the Fenway Park mound.

Meanwhile, in Fort Myers, Bartolo Colon threw two innings in a minor league extended spring training game.

Before you ask where these two guys will fit in the rotation, remember the mantra - 'You never have too much pitching" - especially with things like tired arms, strained obliques and flu bugs popping up here and there.

Speaking of pitching help, reliever Craig Hansen shows signs that he is ready to resume a role in the bullpen. Hansen pitched a 1-2-3 sixth Monday night for the Red Sox. In the seventh, He allowed two singles, then a double-play grounder, then two more walks.

Monday was an anniversary to forget for Hansen and fellow Sox reliever Manny Delcarmen. A year ago they combined to give up nine runs in the ninth inning of a 15-14 Pawtucket loss to Buffalo. Steve Buckley of the Boston Herald (and formerly of the Press Herald) has the story.

An unexpected source of pitching assistance could come from Charlie Zink. He pitched 8 innings for Pawtucket Monday. After giving up back-to-back doubles to start the game, Zink allowed only one more hit (a single in the 8th), along with one walk. He struck out 3.

Zink has a 2.41 ERA ... Also in that Pawtucket game, Jeff Bailey (.326) went 2-for-4.

In Greenville, Bryce Cox relieved for 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Cox did give up 3 hits. Opponents are batting .295 against him.

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