Calling Jeff Bailey.

Rocco Baldelli's left hamstring has been bothering him for the past week but he felt capable of playing right field and getting into the lineup today. In his second at bat, he hit a ball to the warning track and found his way to third base on Nick Markakis' error. But when the fourth inning started, Chris Carter found himself in right field and Rocco, potentially, on the DL.

Meanwhile down on the farm, Jeff Bailey had been playing left field for Pawtucket when he was pulled from the game. Apparently, ready to be sent up to Boston to take Rocco's spot.

There has been no official announcement, Francona says that will have to wait until tomorrow.

Easter Eggs.

I don't really get the connection between eggs and Easter. Eggs are supposed to symbolize new life but what new life has to do with resurrection is beyond me. Besides which, I don't really like eggs. It's very difficult to cook an egg well; there's very little worse than burnt, rubbery eggs. Rocco Baldelli seems to have mastered the art, though. He claims that the only thing he can make is an egg sandwich. He also doesn't believe that he could leap over Pedroia.

Faith.

When Rocco Baldelli didn't want to talk about which team he was a fan of as a child, I assumed that it meant he was a Yankee fan. I've got it on reasonable authority that there are quite a few of them in Rhode Island. Turns out that I was wrong about that. Baldelli was a Braves fan. That's pretty cool; I had an uncle who stuck with the Braves through Milwaukee and Atlanta--only Braves fan I ever knew.

All Smiles.

Apparently, it's pick on Rocco Baldelli Day. What can you do?

Photos from today's workout:

Why is Jason Varitek smiling as he rounds third and heads for home? He's thinking about the ridiculousness of him being able to beat the throw to the plate if this were to happen in a game.

Mike Lowell is just happy to be Mike Lowell. Wouldn't you walk around with a similar expression on your face, if you had the great fortune to be Mike Lowell?

A twofer (because it's a thing of beauty.)

But when isn't David Ortiz smiling?

A baby-faced Dustin Pedroia can't keep it in.

Even the truly scary Julio Lugo can crack a smile.

It's a valiant effort, really. It's almost nearly close to being a smile. Good job Rocco!

Apologies to Rocco.

Rocco Baldelli sat down with Tom Caron on today's NESN spring training show. There was nothing too earth-shattering in the interview. But you know, Baldelli might get along really well with Amelie Benjamin. You know? And, apparently, it's infectious.

And yes, I know I should be nicer to him.

Regrets? I've Had a Few.

This is probably one of those things that I will regret doing the instant I press publish. I've been told that I have a mean streak and I try to keep it in check. I bite my tongue often enough. And even as I think this, it strikes me as unnecessarily mean; especially when it's in response to what is clearly a heartfelt and well-meant gesture.

Rocco Baldelli took out an ad in the St. Petersburg Times thanking the Tampa Bay fans for their support during the last nine years. He seems to have genuinely enjoyed his time in Florida and the experiences afforded to him by the Rays. (And the good people of Tampa Bay would probably never say anything like this.) But all I could think as I read his note was: "Wow. For a guy called Rocco, Baldelli sure has wicked girly handwriting."

Go ahead, stone me. I'll make it easy-Jehovah.

Homeboy Honored.

Words Unlimited, an organization of Rhode Island sports writers, casters, and publicists, will hold their Sports Awards Banquet at the airport Radisson in Warwick on February 15. Their story of the year? Rhode Islanders who made it to the 2008 World Series: Rocco Baldelli, Dan Wheeler, and Davy Lopes (Phillies' first base coach.) Congratulations to him. Also being honored is Pawtucket Red Sox manager Ron Johnson as Men's Sports Coach of the Year. Congratulations to him too.

The Great Gabbo Speaks.

According to Peter Gammons, the Red Sox are thisclose to signing Rocco Baldelli. The announcement is expected tomorrow at the BBWA dinner. No word on what kind of deal it might be, though. If he can be healthy, then this is a really great signing. He offers a good right-handed bat with power and a solid defense. He doesn't walk a ton but he used to have pretty good speed. He will, also, not offer Youkilis any competition in the facial hair department as this:

was a poor decision.

As a local boy he's got that angle going for him (though I seem to recall that during one of the series the Rays played at Fenway last season he said that he was not a Sox fan growing up and that he didn't want to talk about it.) And as a human interest story, his might be right up there with Jon Lester. His presence might take some of the pressure off Lester to be THE KID WHO SURVIVED CANCER AND WENT ON TO BECOME A DOMINANT PITCHER. When they go on the road the two of them could have a little sideshow. Step right up! Come see the pitcher who's lymph nodes went haywire and the outfielder who is easily fatigued! It could be a goldmine.

But salud, Rocco!