• Outfielder Jerry Owens has been put on the disabled list with an abductor muscle issue. It's the same problem that plagued former Sox outfielder Scott Podsednik.  GM Kenny Williams says Owens will be shut down until he's convinced he's healthy.  IMPACT: This leaves a slot open for either Carlos Quentin or Brian Anderson.  I still believe Quentin will start the season on the DL.
• Third baseman Josh Fields has been sent to AAA Charlotte.  This is not a shock.  IMPACT: Joe Crede will be at third base for the Sox until either Kenny Williams finds a trading partner or the Sox fall out of contention.  Fields vows to work on his defense while in the minors.  Unlike Rush Limbaugh, Fields cannot move to his right.
• Alexi Ramirez makes the team as a backup at second, short and center.  IMPACT: Less playing time for Pablo Ozuna and a problem for Brian Anderson.
  
• Juan Uribe is given the starting second base job, kind of sort of.  Ozzie said in the paper this morning that Uribe is going to be put on a very short leash and should he falter, Ramirez gets the job.  IMPACT: Translated, this means if the Sox can find a taker for Uribe or fall from contention, it's Juan gone.
• Toby Hall is your backup catcher.  However, it didn't come easy as Hall  met with Williams and Guillen twice behind closed doors yesterday, presumably to discuss Hall's ailing right shoulder and his 0.71 spring batting average.  Paul Phillips was sent to the minor league camp.  IMPACT: Another season of A.J. catching 145 games because his backup is awful.  If I ran the zoo, Hall would have been thanked for his service and handed a one way bus ticket.
• No decision for the final bullpen spot between Ehren Wasserman and Nick Masset.  Short of a meltdown by either one in the next couple of days, Masset should get the first crack at it.  IMPACT: Masset's one saving grace is he can give you two to three innings.  The question is what kind of quality innings can he pile up.  It's one thing to come into the game in the fourth inning down four runs, but it's clearly another to come into a close game because the starter is over his pitch count and you are expected to keep your team in it.  Whether or not Masset is up to the challenge is anyone's guess.  My opinion is he too will be on a very short leash and if he fails early and often, the Sox will release him.  Of course, Kenny still thinks of him as the sixth starter.
• Mike MacUseless still has a job. Despite an ERA over five and characteristic wildness, the Sox are committed to sticking with him. IMPACT:  Other teams look forward to starting the merry go round.

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