Team says Beckett should be ready for Opening Day

After back spasms forced Red Sox right-hander Josh Beckett out of the game without throwing a pitch on Sunday, the team says Beckett should be ready for Opening Day.

Beckett was supposed to be with the team on their season-opening trip to Japan, but manager Terry Francona says it's not the end of the world if he's not ready at that point.

"He doesn't want to miss anything. He just needs to feel better. We'd be doing him and our ballclub a disservice for him to go out there and try to pitch when he's not supposed to -- and then he'll miss more time. When he's ready, he'll be ready."

Colon to sign with Red Sox

After the Boston Red Sox announced the contract extension of manager Terry Francona, the Sox made another, even surprising, annoucement.

The Boston Red Sox announced that they have signed former AL Cy Young Award winner, and former Angel, Bartolo Colon to a minor league contract.

A minor league contract is minimal risk to the Red Sox. If he shows he's healthy and ready to go, then he adds to an already strong pitching rotation. If not, they release him towards the end of spring training and they move on.

Francona signs extension with Red Sox

After leading the Boston Red Sox to 2 World Series titles in his first 4 years as the manager, the team has signed manager Terry Francona to a contract extension that will go through 2011 and includes club options for 2012 and 2013.

Under Francona, the Boston Red Sox are 8-0 in World Series game. He's the first manager in major league history to win his first 8 straight World Series games.