Coming off rough start, Dempster looks to bounce back vs. Twins

After allowing just three hits over seven scoreless frames vs. the Red Sox on May 7, Twins left-hander Scott Diamond takes the ball opposite Ryan Dempster in Saturday night's game at Target Field.

Extra credit: Gomes' sac fly lifts Red Sox

Jonny Gomes drove in the game-winning run with a sacrifice fly and the Red Sox got a dominant pitching performance from starter Clay Buchholz and the bullpen Friday night in a 3-2, 10-inning win over the Twins.

Ross still dealing with concussion symptoms

David Ross was expected to rejoin the Red Sox this weekend in hopes of playing on Sunday when he is eligible to come off the seven-day disabled list.

Hanrahan to rehab from surgery in Dallas

Manager John Farrell said that he'd spoken with injured reliever Joel Hanrahan, who had season-ending Tommy John surgery on Thursday in Florida.

Victorino playing it safe with back soreness

Shane Victorino's no stranger to back problems, so this time around, the Red Sox's right fielder knows he's better off playing it safe.

Victorino wrenches back, hopes to play Friday

Shane Victorino made another fine catch for the Red Sox on Thursday night, running into the wall in right to rob the Rays' Jose Lobaton of extra bases in the bottom of the eighth inning. But there was a price to be paid. Victorino wrenched his lower back on the play and had to exit the game in the bottom of the ninth.

Hanrahan has surgeries, including Tommy John

Red Sox reliever Joel Hanrahan underwent surgery on Thursday to repair his flexor tendon and also had Tommy John surgery.

Bailey expected to rejoin 'pen Monday in Chicago

Look for Andrew Bailey to be back in the Boston bullpen on Monday night, when the Red Sox open a three-game series in Chicago against the White Sox.

Farrell expresses concern for struggling Bard

A perplexing slump that has lasted over a year for former elite Red Sox setup man Daniel Bard seemed to hit rock bottom on Wednesday night, when the right-hander walked five batters in an inning-plus for Double-A Portland.

Drew goes from slump to surge

It's hard to believe Stephen Drew's slump was such a big topic of conversation earlier in the season. These days, he is one of the most productive hitters the Red Sox have.

Sox sting Rays on Middlebrooks' clutch double

The Red Sox were down to their last strike when Will Middlebrooks reversed their fortunes dramatically. The slugger turned on a 1-2, 85-mph changeup from Rays closer Fernando Rodney with two outs in the top of the ninth and drilled a three-run double that led Boston to a 4-3 victory on Thursday in the rubber match of a three-game set.

Win or lose, Red Sox solid under Farrell's guiding hand

If the season were to end today, Boston's John Farrell would be American League Manager of the Year. What Farrell has done with the Red Sox mess is not impressive; it is amazing.

Lester now fifth on Sox's all-time strikeout list

Jon Lester, who is still six months shy of his 30th birthday, joined select company on Wednesday night when he moved into fifth place on the Red Sox's all-time strikeout list.

Slump buster: Eight-run third inning snaps skid

An eight-run uprising in the third inning, which included four straight knocks with runners in scoring position, seemed to take the weight of the world off the shoulders of the Red Sox, who rolled to a 9-2 victory over the Rays on Wednesday night at Tropicana Field.

Farrell sticking with lineup for now

Although the Red Sox's bats have gone ice-cold in May -- particularly with runners in scoring position -- manager John Farrell doesn't think now is the time to make a significant lineup shuffle.

Doubront ready for critical start against Rays

When Felix Doubront takes the mound for the Red Sox on Thursday night at Tropicana Field, it will be a lot more than just another start.

Morales probably two starts away from returning

Left-hander Franklin Morales will make his fourth appearance of his Minor League rehab assignment on Saturday, when he again pitches for Triple-A Pawtucket.

Ortiz playing through nagging oblique injury

As it turns out, the day off that David Ortiz had on Sunday -- which preceded the team's day off on Monday -- wasn't exclusively just to get him a rest.

Whiteout: Missed popup extends Sox's losing skid

Mike Napoli wouldn't have been the first visiting infielder to blame a missed popup on the white roof of Tropicana Field, but after the reeling Red Sox suffered a 5-3 loss to the Rays on Tuesday night, Napoli placed the blame squarely on himself.

With Ross on DL, Lavarnway makes first start

With David Ross sidelined for the next few days following a concussion, Ryan Lavarnway made his first Major League start of 2013 on Tuesday against the Rays.

Bailey takes step forward with bullpen session

Closer Andrew Bailey will likely be activated at some point during the Red Sox's three-city, nine-game road trip that opened on Tuesday night.

Victorino ready to go following collision

The one thing the Red Sox have learned early in Shane Victorino's tenure with the team is that it takes a lot to keep him out of the lineup.

K's an occupational hazard for Red Sox hitters

When Mike Napoli singled in his final at-bat of Sunday's 12-4 loss to the Blue Jays, it marked the first time in four games that he didn't strike out at least once in a game.

Middlebrooks grateful for mother's role in career

His mom "doesn't have an athletic bone in her body," Will Middlebrooks said, but he took some time on Mother's Day to remember the important role that she did play in his career.

Dempster struggles, offense quiet in loss to Jays

Ryan Dempster, who hadn't allowed more than one home run in a game all season, served up three of them over five innings in his worst start in a Red Sox uniform in a 12-4 loss to the Blue Jays.

Rest, not results, reason behind Papi's day off

David Ortiz was out of the lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Blue Jays, but it has nothing to do with his performance at the plate -- he has one hit in his last 20 at-bats. Ortiz played all nine games over the last nine days.

Victorino cleared to play after hospital tests

Shane Victorino, who earlier this season missed a week and a half because of stiffness in his lower back, passed his tests at Massachusetts General Hospital on Monday and was cleared to play when the Red Sox open a road trip Tuesday at Tampa Bay.

Sox place Ross on seven-day DL, call up Lavarnway

Catcher David Ross was placed on the seven-day concussion disabled list before Sunday's game against the Blue Jays. Ryan Lavarnway was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket to take his place on the active roster.

Red Sox honor brave survivor on Mother's Day

Christie Cantara, a 41-year-old mother of three from southern Maine battling breast cancer, served as Boston's Honorary Bat Girl on Mother's Day.

Bailey takes next step toward return

Andrew Bailey was scheduled to throw an intensified long-toss session on Sunday, taking the next step in his return from the 15-day disabled list.