Minnesota placed RHP Mike Fetters on the disabled list a week ago yesterday. Fetters aggravated a hamstring injury he incurred during Spring Training in early March. The strain was not serious the first time and isn't now either. He's expected to be ready to pitch again after a minimal stay on the DL, which should have him rejoining the Twins a week from today for the final game of a home series against the Yankees.

The Twins are unlikely to carry 12 pitchers for more than a few days at any time this year because they want the roster spots for their offense. Consequently, when a reliever suffers even a minor injury, Minnesota likely will be inclined to plop them on the disabled list and call up a fresh arm. RHP Juan Rincon, who replaced Fetters on the roster, probably will bounce between AAA and the majors several times this season. Rincon's strikeout and walk rates last season indicate he should be a capable middle reliever, but he had bad luck with his hit rate.

Minnesota possesses a handful of AAAA relievers who should provide them with acceptable performances in short stays on the roster this year. Last week the Twins added another option to the club, signing RHP Todd Erdos to a minor league deal. We discussed Erdos this off-season when the 29-year-old signed with the Cardinals' organization, but St. Louis released him shortly before regular season play began. He could cover for them in a pinch, but RHP Grant Balfour, RHP Michael Nakamura, RHP Jeromy Palki, and probably even RHP Juan Padilla should all receive opportunities before Erdos. As the only one of that group on the 40-man roster, Balfour should be next in line for promotion behind Rincon.

The Twins are currently concerned about the health of RHP Rick Reed, who left his last start with a strained groin, but recent news indicates that he departed the game as a precaution. Reed described the injury as less severe than something with which he dealt in Spring Training. He probably will make his next start. However, the fact that he already has had multiple problems in this area this year suggests that his groin could cost him several weeks at some point this season. If Reed or any other Minnesota starter hits the disabled list, LHP Johan Santana should move to the rotation and Rincon will have a secure place in the pen. Santana should already have a spot in the rotation as LHP Eric Milton's replacement, but the Twins signed LHP Kenny Rogers with the expectation that another starter would fail to remain healthy.

Boston placed LHP Alan Embree on the disabled list on Saturday, though the move was retroactive to April 9th. Embree complained of soreness in his left shoulder and an MRI revealed tendinitis in his biceps and rotator cuff. The lefty's velocity is down this year, so he and the Red Sox were concerned there could be a more serious problem. They're pleased with the news and will start Embree on a rehab program after a few days rest. He's expected to rejoin the team on the 24th, when he's first eligible to leave the DL. Nevertheless, Boston may keep him out longer if he doesn't show improvement.

To replace Embree on the roster, the Red Sox called up LHP Kevin Tolar, who signed a minor league deal with Boston this off-season. Tolar was the only healthy left-handed pitcher on AAA Pawtucket's roster. Last year at AAA Nashville in the Pacific Coast League, he compiled an 82:27 K:BB with 66 H and 5 HR allowed in 78 IP for a 2.54 ERA over 44 appearances including 7 starts. The sample size on his major league stats is too small to allow those numbers to cause us to believe the 32-year-old will suffer control problems with the Red Sox. He should pitch solidly for Boston while needed.

The Boston pen has endured gloating from observers who condemned the idea of a bullpen without a defined closer, as their relievers have appeared to lose games and/or endanger several wins. However, the Red Sox's problem has not been that they don't have a specified closer, but rather that their relievers have not matched their past performance levels.

C-R Bill Haselman opted for free agency rather than accept a minor league assignment with the Tigers. Last week he signed a minor league deal with the Red Sox. While Detroit might appear to offer more opportunities than Boston for a AAAA catcher, the Tigers are committed to their current backstops and acquired C-R A.J. Hinch as their primary alternative. The Red Sox have a couple of players with past catching experience, including CR-R Kevin Millar and CI-R Shea Hillenbrand, but Boston would prefer to keep them in their current roles. Consequently, if either C-S Jason Varitek or C-R Doug Mirabelli need to spend time on the disabled list, Haselman is likely to see time in the majors. The 36-year-old spent three years in the Boston organization in the mid-90's, though he no longer possesses most of the offensive potential he held then.

Boston unexpectedly released RHP Frank Castillo prior to the start of the season, he since has signed a minor league deal with Oakland. Castillo doesn't appear to have selected an organization that is likely to use him at the major league level. However, provided they don't feel obligated to call on the veteran over more qualified pitchers as an injury substitute, signing Castillo costs the A's little and provides them with additional depth. There are numerous pitchers in the majors with worse skills than Frank Castillo.