Julian Tavarez is a relief pitcher. That fact is becoming obvious. And if positive signs come from Jon Lester's two starts for Pawtucket (first one tonight), then it appears he will join the Red Sox rotation. But assuming Tavarez goes back to bullpen, who leaves? I don't think anyone has options for Triple-A.

Just a quick note to explain why the blog will be semi-active this week. The Thomas family activated Keira Eve to the roster this morning at 5:16 a.m. She was due in May, but decided to report early to camp, weighing in at 8 pounds, 7 ounces.

Alex Cora is batting .357 with a couple of game-winning hits. Dustin Pedroia is batting .158, with no RBI. No wonder why Cora was in the lineup today during the Red Sox 7-5 win over the NYY. But don't think Pedroia is going away.

Of all the scenarios for a Red Sox-Yankees game, I don't know who figured out that Kyle Snyder would be the winning pitcher, Hideki Okajima would get the save, and Coco Crisp would tie the game on a triple off Mariano Rivera. But that was not the only baseball being played.

Was supposed to be at Fenway this weekend, but the contractions got in the way (and I am not referring to the elimination of the Twins and Marlins) ... Things have quieted for now, but I won't be in Boston. I will try to check in after the game.

Julian Tavarez gets the ball tonight for Boston, but his role as a starter is certainly not a permanent one. Jon Lester is nearing the end of his rehab time in Greenville, S.C., and will likely head to Triple-A Pawtucket from there, according to media reports. He can't be far from the majors. Tavarez, because of the rain, has had only one previous start, a loss (4 innings, 6 hits, 5 walks, 4 earned runs).

No Sea Dogs again today. That makes 7-of-10 homes games postponed, so far (two from the record, and it's only April 18) ... Thought you might like to read anoher Devern Hansack story, this from Joe McDonald of the Providence Journal.

Sea Dogs rained out again. They will try to play a doubleheader with Trenton Wednesday at noon. The rain may let up, but the field is soaked. We'll see.

The Portland Sea Dogs game with Trenton today has been postponed because of the weather. The game is scheduled to be made up as part of a doubleheader Tuesday at 6 p.m. (that is hopeful thinking) ... Meanwhile, the Red Sox have pushed back the starting time for today's game from 10 a.m. to noon, with their fingers crossed.

With Carl Pavano (stiff forearm) and Mike Mussina (hamstring strain) going on the disabled list, the Yankees are expected to call up lefty Chase Wright from Double-A Trenton, according to the New York papers, and the Yankees website.

My car broke down on the Maine Turnpike, on my way to Fenway this morning, but at least I did not miss anything. Today's rainout actually sets up the Red Sox rotation nicely for the Yankees series next weekend. Meanwhile, the Sea Dogs will welcome the Yankees Double-A Trenton Thunder Monday through Wednesday.

Here is wondering when Charlie Zink will make his first start, and other gripping topics for followers of the Sea Dogs & Red Sox.

When Jeremy West was traded to the White Sox organization, the Sea Dogs appeared to have no first basemen. Welcome Eric Crozier, who enjoyed his big-league cup of coffee in 2004. He is a great story (time for a plug for tomorrow's Press Herald) and he had the big hit Wednesday, a three-run homer in an 8-5 Sea Dogs win over New Britain.

Garrett Guzman just jacked a two-run homer in the first inning for the New Britain Rock Cats, for a 2-0 lead over the Sea Dogs toight. Things went well for Pawtucket and Devern Hansack today, and we have the make-up dates from the snow.

While Tuesday's 14-3 rout made for an enjoyable Tuesday for Boston fans, Red Sox Nation - both in New England and in Japan - will be tuned in Wednesday night for the Fenway Park debut of Daisuke Matsuzaka. The first batter he will face will be Ichiro Suzuki.

As expected, reliever Mike Timlin was activated today from the disabled list. To make room for Timlin, lefty Javier Lopez was sent to Pawtucket. Meanwhile, the lineup is set for today's game.

Welcome to opening day at Fenway. Will try to keep you updated on happenings around here. I arrived early and the scalpers were not out in full force, so I can't give you the going rate. But if you are thinking of driving in today, the Leahy's Mobil Station on Boylson and Yawkey Way is offering parking at $90 a space. I chose a different route.

How long will Jacoby Ellsbury stay in Portland? Not long, if he keeps having games like he did in the Sea Dogs opener on Monday.

Sea Dogs pitchers are warming up and stretching in right field, and the lineup is tacked up in the clubhouse. Finally, the 2007 season has arrived. Here is today's Sea Dogs lineup.

Well, at least the other Red Sox minor league teams are playing. Starter Devern Hansack and closer Craig Hansen looked fine in Pawtucket's 5-1 win Friday.

Saturday's scheduled Sea Dogs game has been postponed because of the snow. They will try to get the season-opener in Sunday at 1 p.m.

Just spent this morning with the Sea Dogs at the University of Southern Maine fieldhouse. They arrived in snow flurries and left the same way. Get used to the indoor practices, boys.

It was not only a loss, but a stinker. Boston certainly did not shine on Monday, in a 7-1 loss to Kansas City. Then again, don't the Red Sox normally lose on opening day? They lost 7-2 at Baltimore in 2004, and that season turned out okay. After checking stories from writers in Kansas City, I decided to offer