With three more players assigned to the minors, the Red Sox roster is taking shape.

The Red Sox sent first baseman/outfielder Jeff Bailey, and pitchers Fernando Cabrera and Enrique Gonzalez down, where they will play for Pawtucket.

Now that Chris Carter has officially won the back-up 1B/OF job, the only two spots that remain remotely in question are the back-up infielder and the No. 5 starter.

Nick Green reportedly has beaten out Angel Chavez and Gil Velazquez for the infield position, and Brad Penny is expected to be the fifth starter, although Clay Buchholz is hanging around in case Penny's shoulder is not ready.

Green will have to be added to the 40-man roster to be activated onto the major league roster. His time in Boston could be short. Boston manager Terry Francona said Julio Lugo could return from knee surgery as early as mid-April.

Also, Carter's major league time will be short. If Mark Kotsay's back is okay, he should return in May.

With Cabrera and Gonzalez back to the minors, the Red Sox bullpen is officially set (no great surprise):

Jonathan Papelbon
Ramon Ramirez
Hideki Okajima
Takashi Saito
Justin Masterson
Manny Delcarmen
Javier Lopez

The only relievers on the 40-man roster at Pawtucket are Hunter Jones and Devern Hansack (who can also spot start).

But if Boston should need a reliever, Daniel Bard could be put on the 40-man in a hurry (Bard pitched a perfect ninth inning, with 2 strikeouts, for the PawSox on Tuesday).

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