Boston removed Dustin Hermanson from the disabled list late last week. Hermanson went on the DL with a staph infection in a cut on his elbow, sustained when he reportedly slipped while washing dishes in his bare feet. He actually cut the elbow before the Red Sox activated him in mid-July from his first trip to the disabled list this year, which began April 8th due to a strained groin. Hermanson had been active for four days when the elbow swelled, preventing him from pitching. The Red Sox believe he's fully recovered and may move him back into the rotation before the end of the season, though he'll remain in the bullpen for now.

When Hermanson returned from his first trip to the DL, the Red Sox demoted Bry Nelson. More recently, they designated Chris Haney for assignment to make room for his return. Nelson signed with Boston as a free agent in the off-season. He's bounced around the minors since Houston drafted him out of Texarkana Junior College in the 44th round of the 1993 draft. Nelson made his major league debut with Boston on May 20th, filling the roster spot of the disabled Manny Ramirez. The 28-year-old has demonstrated promising plate discipline in the minors with moderate speed and power skills. During his time in the majors, he went 9-for-34 with 3 2B, a 4:1 BB:K, and 1/2 SB%. He should find work as a AAAA reserve infielder for a couple years.

A year in Japan did little to help Haney reverse his pattern of poor skills. While he was with the Red Sox, he posted a 15:10 K:BB with 32 H and 2 HR allowed in 30 IP. The 33-year-old might tinker around for a couple more years, but teams should really employ other options.

Casey Fossum filled Hermanson's place on roster during his latest stint on the disabled list. The Red Sox previously demoted Fossum when they needed a roster spot for the newly acquired Alan Embree, as they wanted Fossum to work on his starting skills in the minors. Fossum joined the rotation when recalled, and Boston intends to leave him there for the foreseeable future. In six starts since joining the rotation, he's compiled a 31:9 K:BB with 39 H and 3 HR allowed in 33.1 IP for a 3.78 ERA. As the 48th overall pick in the first round of the 1999 draft, Fossum's moved quickly through the minors, but his skills support his current success and he should continue to produce for the Red Sox.

Embree excelled with Boston for three weeks before hitting the DL with inflammation in his left elbow. Luckily, he recovered from the problem after a minimal stay on the disabled list. To make room for Embree's return, the Red Sox demoted Wayne Gomes, who came up in early July to fill the roster spot of Carlos Baerga, placed on the DL with a strained left hamstring.

When Baerga rejoined the team a month later, the team designated Rich Garces for assignment. A month before Boston had demoted Darren Oliver to make room for El Guapo's return, as he had missed most of June due to a hamstring injury. His demotion was based on his 16:12 K:BB in 21.1 IP with 21 H and 4 HR allowed for a 7.59 ERA. Although there have been no follow-up reports, Garces didn't accept a minor league position, so he is likely a free agent.

Boston activated Rolando Arrojo from the DL to fill Embree's rotation spot. Boston had placed Arrojo on the DL in late June with tendinitis in his shoulder. Unfortunately, Arrojo wasn't able to remain healthy and returned to the disabled list in early August with a bulging disc in his lower back. He's likely to miss the remainder of the season.

The first time Arrojo hit the DL, the Red Sox called up the now traded Sun-Woo Kim to fill his roster spot. Kim had been up earlier in the season, but was sent down in early June so Boston could promote Willie Banks. Before the trade, Boston demoted Kim in order to clear room on the roster for Rey Sanchez's activation from the from the DL. Coincidentally, Boston recalled Willie Banks to fill Arrojo's roster spot the next time he hit the DL. The Red Sox had demoted Banks to make room the acquisition of Bob Howry.

Sanchez missed a month with a strained right hamstring beginning in mid-June. When Sanchez went on the DL, Boston promoted Juan Diaz. Diaz has demonstrated some power potential in the minors, but struggles with his plate discipline. The 26-year-old made his major league debut with Boston on June 12th. Before the Red Sox demoted Diaz to make room for Manny Ramirez's return from the DL, he went 2-for-7 with a double, a homer, and a 1:2 BB:K.

Despite their assortment of peripheral injuries and the loss of Ramirez early in the season, the Red Sox have maintained a fairly healthy roster. Although they possess suitable depth in some areas, Pedro Martinez, Derek Lowe, Johnny Damon, and Nomar Garciaparra need to remain healthy for the rest of the year for the team to retain their playoff hopes. Boston possesses the easiest schedule of the teams competing for the Wild Card, so they shouldn't be entirely ruled out, particularly since the AL West contenders will continue to beat up on one another. However, as much as I like the Boys from Beantown, I continue to believe the AL West holds the Wild Card.