As expected, the Red Sox are sending Justin Masterson back to the minors after his successful start on Tuesday.

But Masterson is not returning to Portland.

The Red Sox are sending Masterson to Triple-A Pawtucket. He follows the footsteps of Jonathan Papelbon and Clay Buchholz, two other Sea Dogs aces who were promoted early in their Double-A season.

Ron Johnson's PawSox team could have a strong rotation. Buchholz is expected to join Pawtucket once he is off the disabled list (especially if Bartolo Colon makes a successful re-entry into the majors, starting Wednesday.

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