At one time, the Boston Red Sox were afraid that other clubs would scoop up relief pitching prospects Edgar Martinez and Kyle Jackson, so they were put on the 40-man roster.

The pair's development stalled and they were taken off the roster - no teams claimed them.

Now Martinez (in Pawtucket) and Jackson (in Portland) are getting a chance at starting. They did well Friday night.

Both pitched 5 innings of shutout ball in their teams' respective wins.

Martinez allowed 2 hits and 4 walks, striking out 5 ... Jackson gave up 3 hits and 1 walk, striking out 3.

Streaky catcher George Kottaras continues his latest tear for the PawSox. Kottaras, batting .237, went 3-for-4, with his 15th home run ... Sean Danielson went 2-for-4 ... Hunter Jones got his third save with 1 scoreless inning (1 K).

In Portland, Sandy Madera, Aaron Bates and Mark Wagner all homered (see previous blog).

The bigger news in Portland was the release of third baseman Andrew Pinckney. It is a sign of the improving farm system when a decent player is let go to make room for a prospect (Jorge Jimenez)

Red Sox VP/Player Personal Ben Cherington said, "We got a lot of priority players that need to play. "

Hope to have an update later today on where Pinckney lands (the Blue Jays are interested in placing him with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats) ... And there will be more coverage in the Maine Sunday Telegram (and hopefully our website).

So far, two players have arrived from advanced Class A Lancaster - reliever T.J. Large and Jimenez ... the next could be outfielder Josh Reddick. He's hitting .348, after a 2-for-4 night on Friday.

Greenville outfielder Jared Stanley went 2-for-5 Friday and his hitting .370 in 26 games ... Outfielder Che-Hsuan Lin, 19, is batting .255, but he is still considered a prospect and was chosen for the World Futures Game at Yankee Stadium.

The Sox signed three more draft picks - Rice reliever Bryan Price (sandwich round), Santa Barbara City College pitcher Pete Ruiz (10th round) and Elizabeth (N.J.) High School shortstop Roberto Ramos (41st round) ... Price reportedly received a signing bonus of around $850,000.

I hope to check in later from Hadlock.

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