Beckett to start opener; Rozier reportedly cut
In news that is no surprise: The Boston Red Sox announced that Josh Beckett will start the season opener on April 6.
And from the minor league camp, soxprospects.com is reporting that Boston has cut five minor leaguers: pitchers Mike Rozier, Chris Jones and Jordan Craft, third baseman Darren Blocker and outfielder Rafael Cabreja. None made it out of Class A.
Rozier, 23, a lefty, was drafted in 2004 out of high school and given a $1.5-million signing bonus to sway him from a football scholarship at North Carolina.
Rozier began the 2005 season in low Class A, but his command wasn't there, and he never really improved. He made one spot start in Portland in 2006, giving up 7 hits in 5 innings (with 8 strikeouts).
Back to the Red Sox, they also announced that Jon lester will start the second game (April 8), and Daisuke Matsuzaka the third (April 9).
The Rays will start James Shields against Beckett, followed by Scott Kazmir and Matt Garza.
Posted at 03:51 PM
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