Justin Masterson put in his work in a minor league game (4 2/3 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 6 K, 0 runs) Thursday. The Red Sox continue to say his status (starter or reliever) is not known, while they make sure Brad Penny is ready to start the season.

The minor league exhibition schedule ends a week from today, meaning decisions will be made soon, including the inevitable cuts.

Infielders at the Triple-A and Double-A level are battling for jobs.

Triple-A is considered an emergency roster ("taxi squad") for the majors, as well as a stepping stone for prospects.

Pawtucket is full of journeymen and others with major league experience. For now, two of them will start the season in the majors.

Brad Wilkerson, Jeff Bailey and Chris Carter are vying for the temporary back-up first baseman/outfielder position (until Mark Kotsay comes back from the DL, likely in May).

Nick Green, Gil Velazquez and Angel Chavez, likewise, are competing for the temporary utility infield spot (until Julio Lugo comes back, also likely in May).

The other four go to Pawtucket, where Ivan Ochoa has already been sent.

Meanwhile, minor leaguers Jeff Natale, Iggy Suarez and Zach Borowiak are fighting for a Triple-A spot. Natale can play first or second base and has some Triple-A experience. Both Suarez and Borowiak are versatile in the infield. Suarez has been in Portland the past two years. Borowiak is coming out of a 1-year retirement, after playing in Portland in 2006 and 2007.

First baseman Aaron Bates, who has been in Portland since August of 2007, is likely headed back to Double-A. He would join other Sea Dogs veterans Lars Anderson (first), Ryan Khoury (second), Argenis Diaz (short) and Jorge Jimenez (third).

It would not be a huge shock to see Suarez or Borowiak back in Portland.

Everything should shake out in the next week.

When players do get cut, it can be devastating, especially for those who can't hook on somewhere else.

Others realize it is time to leave the game. I spoke with relief pitcher Ryan Cameron on Thursday for today's story in the Press Herald on host families. Cameron got his final cut last March, from the Phillies. At the age of 30, and after 11 minor league seasons, Camerson said he knew it time to move on. He is now working for General Electric in Albany, N.Y.

But, like others, retirement has not been easy. Cameron found it difficult to watch a game at Fenway last year - it was just too soon after calling it a career. And this spring has been uneasy, with Cameron used to training in Florida, instead of working in an office in Albany.

I recently did a story on former Sea Dogs catcher John Nathans and his ongoing recovery from being hit in the head with a baseball bat. Response to that story continues to come in, including a note from someone connected with the BIAME (Brain InjuryAssociation of Maine). It's worth checking out.

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