Pitching depth? What pitching depth? The Red Sox almost lose Josh Beckett for a start (and still might, pending his appeal of a suspension).

Daisuke Matsuzaka gives up 5 runs in the first inning and the Red Sox announce that he has arm fatigue (WBC anyone?).

And Clay Buchholz has hammy issues in Triple A.

John Smoltz is headed on his scheduled trip to Fort Myers today to continue his rehab. He is expected to be ready by June ... maybe sooner.

If this keeps up, Michael Bowden could get a call up.

Before we look at some of the non-Portland minor league games, there is an update on Buchholz. It does not appear that his injury is serious (call it a tweak). The Red Sox, of course, are being cautious, so Buchholz will likely miss a start.

Rochester beat Pawtucket 6-5. The PawSox got five hits: 3 from Jeff Bailey (2 HR) and 2 from Angel Chavez.

Reliever Hunter Jones (2/3 IP, 1 K) has not been scored upon in three innings.

Salem was rained out, but low Class A Greenville put in overtime, going 15 innings and winning 2-1 when Hickory made two errors in the 15th.

Starter Brock Huntziner went five innings (4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 K). Fabien Williamson pitched 4 2/3 (1 H, 2 BB, 3 K), and Amando Zerpa lasted 4 1/3 (2 K).

Huntzinger is a 2007 third-round draft pick out of high school. Williamson came to the Sox from Seattle in the David Aardsma deal. Both pitchers are 20. Zerpa, 22, is from Venezuela.

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