In 2004, Abe Alvarez was one of the first big Red Sox prospects to come to the Portland Sea Dogs (Kevin Youkilis and Kelly Shoppach came through in 2003).

But Alvarez seemed on the fastest track. He was picked in the second round of the 2003 draft out of Long Beach State, put up a 0.00 ERA that year in Lowell, and then skipped two levels of Class A to join the Sea Dogs in 2004.

Not only that, but Alvarez was called up to Boston on July 22, 2004 for a spot start.

The Pawtucket Red Sox notes report that reliever Bryan Corey has been traded to the San Diego Padres. He is being traded for future considerations (it won't be much; Corey had an out in his contract anyway. This a deal to give him a chance in the majors, which he was not going to get in Boston).

Replacing Corey in Pawtucket will be Jose Vaquedano, promoted from Portland after recording a 0.41 ERA in 13 appearances.

Replacing Vaquedano on the Sea Dogs roster is outfielder Jered Stanley, who gives Portland a fourth outfielder (with Bubba Bell still limping with a sprained ankle).

Now here's the Sea Dogs lineup for today:

In today's Sunday notes column we talk about which Lancaster pitchers might make it to Portland.

Poor James Russ was not one of them. Russ was the starting pitcher last night for advanced Class A Lancaster. He lasted one inning (6 H, 3 BB, 7 R).

But that was just the beginning for Island Empire, in a 25-1 win over Lancaster.

While the focus is on Jonathan Papelbon's second straight blown save, in Friday night's 7-6 loss to the Twins, the fact remains that shortstop Julio Lugo again contributed a costly error.

The last time, against the Tigers, Lugo's error came in the ninth, so it was a highlight in the loss.

It looked worse, and Bubba Bell thought it sounded worse. But, to Bell's relief, the diagnosis of his injury Friday night is a high ankle sprain.

Jon Lester pitches for Boston. Dustin Richardson starts for Portland.

Two left-handers with good stuff, when they command it.

Here's the lineups:

When Jon Lester (2-2, 3.94) takes the mound tonight in Minnesota, against Boof Bonser (2-4, 4.29 ... yes, that's his legal first name), Lester needs to be "effectively wild."

Here's why:

According to Joe McDonald of the Providence Journal, Brandon Moss has already begun his rehab, a week after his appendectomy. He is scheduled to go to extended spring training in Fort Myers today and could be in a rehab game in 10 days.

And now for tonight's lineups from the Red Sox and Sea Dogs ... Manny Ramirez gets a day off in Detroit.

The Killer B's - Clay Buchhol, Michael Bowden and Daniel Bard - were all on the mound Wednesday.

Bowden was the best.

The big story in the Red Sox 5-0 win over Detroit was the 8 shutout innings thrown by Tim Wakefield.

But what of the guy catching those pitches?

The Red Sox hope to keep it going (as in wins).

The Sea Dogs plan for it to stop tonight (the losses, that is).

Here are the lineups:

Curt Schilling said he is ready to start playing catch today, the first throws that he hopes leads him back to the Fenway Park mound.

Meanwhile, in Fort Myers, Bartolo Colon threw two innings in a minor league extended spring training game.

Before you ask where these two guys will fit in the rotation, remember the mantra - 'You never have too much pitching" - especially with things like tired arms, strained obliques and flu bugs popping up here and there.

Justin Masterson gave up 4 earned runs over 5 1/3 innings Monday night.

But don't think it was a bad outing. Masterson had his stuff working.

Hopefully, the Red Sox are not as tired as the Sea Dogs. Coming back from Trenton, N.J. on Sunday, the bus broke down twice. The Dogs did not get in until 5 a.m.

Here are the lineups for both teams:

While the Red Sox are on a roll, the Sea Dogs have dropped out of first place with a six-game losing streak on their trip to Bowie and Trenton.

The Sea Dogs return home tonight and the game features two top prospects on the mound. Justin Masterson pitches for Portland, while the New Hampshire Fisher Cats will feature Brett Cecil, the Toronto Blue Jays first-round draft pick from last June.

By now, you have probably heard of the college softball game, where the opponents carried an injured runner around the bases after she hit a home run. It has nothing to do with the Red Sox, but it's a great story. The Oregonian has a follow-up story.

Back to the Red Sox. Brandon Moss' wonderful day Friday was followed by a horrible Saturday. Moss underwent an emergency appendectomy at Mass. General Hospital.

In case you didn't stay up, Brandon Moss played a major role in Boston's 7-3 win over the Devil Rays.

Moss went 2-for-4 with two runs, including his second major league homer. He also threw out a runner, trying to score from second on a single.

It's a battle for first in the Ameircan League East. And if you're looking for a Red Sox-Yankees rivalry ... you need to check out a different league.

Tonight, the Tampa Bay Rays (16-12) and Boston Red Sox (17-13) begin a 3-game series. They are tied in the division.

Yes, I know it's only May 2. But when could we ever hype a Rays-Sox series?

You want Sox-Yankees? Look to the Eastern League.

How did you like Brandon Moss' at-bat, with one out in the ninth inning Wednesday night?

Moss had struck out previously, swinging wildly at two low curveballs. This time, he stayed away from the curve, worked the count to his favor and singled to center.