Trot Nixon will open the season on the disabled list as a result of a mildly herniated disc in his lower back. The problem began bothering OF-L Nixon early in March, leading to a regimen of rest and anti-inflammatory medication. He started an exercise program two weeks ago, but he still was feeling pain in the area earlier this week, so the Red Sox sent him for a second opinion. Nixon returned from that opinion with news that he probably will not join the major league club until May. Boston wants the 29-year-old to rest until he has fully recovered, and since he has essentially missed all of spring training, he wants to log some rehab at-bats before attempting to face big league pitching.

The Red Sox plan to have OF-R Gabe Kapler assume most of the playing time opened by Nixon's injury. 1B/OF-R Kevin Millar may also play some right field, freeing more first base at-bats for 1B/DH-L David Ortiz. While DH-R Ellis Burks has been discussed as another outfield option, I do not expect Burks to spend much time at any position outside of DH considering the 39-year-old underwent elbow surgery last year. Given the position flexibility and depth of Boston's roster, I do not expect Nixon's absence to cost the organization much.

On Thursday, SS-R Nomar Garciaparra underwent an MRI to determine the extent of his Achilles' tendon injury. Garciaparra sustained the injury when he was hit in the back of his right heel by a ball during batting practice on March 5th. The MRI revealed mild tendinitis in his Achilles' tendon, characterized by swelling in the surrounding area. However, no structural damage was uncovered, so the Red Sox do not view this problem as a major threat. In an effort to insure that this trouble does not follow the 30-year-old into the regular season, Garciaparra will rest for two weeks, possibly participating in the Red Sox's final two spring training games in Atlanta, prior to starting at shortstop in Boston's regular season opener at Baltimore on April 4th. If the regular season were on-going, Garciaparra likely would be playing full time now, but the Red Sox see no reason to push him during spring training when rest may allow him to deal with this before games begin to really matter. The shortage of spring at-bats might leave him a little rusty in April, but I do not expect this injury to substantially affect his season.

RHP Byung-Hyun Kim developed some discomfort in his right shoulder after his first spring appearance and underwent an MRI to determine the cause of the pain. The MRI revealed inflammation behind the shoulder. Boston feels that the 25-year-old may have aggravated the shoulder with his intensive workouts this spring. The Red Sox want Kim to limit himself to playing catch for at least a week while working on stretching and strengthening the muscles at the back of his shoulder. As with Nixon and Garciaparra, Boston apparently is primarily interested in addressing this issue before it can develop into a lasting problem. Consequently, even if it means he will need to open the season on the disabled list, the Red Sox are encouraging Kim not to rush his recovery. Boston reportedly could wait until April 18th before using a fifth starter, but the club may simply plug RHP Bronson Arroyo into Kim's place in the rotation. On a more positive note, aside from the inflammation, the MRI displayed a healthy shoulder, so Kim should not have to worry about shoulder surgery anytime soon.

RHP Keith Foulke appears to have moved past the mild left calf strain that delayed his participation in spring games. The Red Sox do not appear to believe the injury will substantially affect his performance during the regular season.

RHP Ramiro Mendoza suffered an abdominal strain in late February. He now has worked his way up to throwing batting practice, and Boston hopes to have him pitch in a game sometime this coming week. If everything goes smoothly, he may not need to open the season on the disabled list after all.

X-Rays uncovered bone chips in RHP Reynaldo Garcia's elbow earlier this week. Yesterday, he underwent surgery to remove the chips. The 29-year-old will need four to six weeks to recover from the surgery. In any case, Boston did not appear to have a place for him in their Opening Day bullpen, so he probably will remain at AAA Pawtucket indefinitely after completing his rehab.

While the Red Sox have offered to return Rule 5 pick RHP Colter Bean to the Yankees, Boston claimed Rule 5 pick LHP Frank Brooks off waivers from Oakland when the A's attempted to offer Brooks back to the Pirates. The Red Sox are interested in adding another lefty to the pen behind LHP Alan Embree, so Brooks may stick with the team.

Boston's other Rule 5 pick, LHP Lenny DiNardo, might have filled the role, but he has been sidelined with a shoulder problem for most of camp. Consequently, DiNardo may open the season on the disabled list, though if they choose to keep Brooks and he is successful, the Red Sox likely will not have anywhere to put DiNardo when he is ready to return, forcing them to offer him back to the Mets. While Boston's given several lefties a look in camp and LHP Bobby M. Jones has performed impressively, I do not believe the club will want to carry 12 pitchers, though the Red Sox might make an exception if one is a Rule 5 pick. With Arroyo in the rotation, one spot opens in the pen, but I do not think the team will clear a 40-man slot for Jones unless Boston believes there will be a slot for him in the pen for more than a few weeks.