Crisp junked, Pedro plunked?

-Red Sox centerfielder Coco Crisp, who is currently on the 15-Day DL with a broken knuckle, was signed to a three year contract extension yesterday with a club option for 2010. This continues a busy week for the Sox front office, after they signed slugger David Ortiz to a four-year extension. Likely on the horizon: an extension for Josh Beckett, who has dazzled in his two starts in a Boston uniform. Not as likely, but would be a good move: locking Jonathan Papelbon into a long-term deal before his value goes up much more, which it will.

-Outfielder Dustan Mohr, who had a pretty great spring for the Sox, was called up to replace Crisp on the roster, and he started yesterday's game in center field. All he did was hit a two-run home run in his first game for the Red Sox. Meanwhile, Wily Mo Pena started in right field in place of the hurting Trot Nixon (who is listed as day-to-day with a groin injury) and he, too, smashed a long ball. But these two smashs and another by Ortiz would not be enough to lift the Sox over the Blue Jays, who won 8-4.

-It was the rematch everybody was waiting for. After Pedro Martinez plunked three Nationals in their meeting last week, yesterday saw Petey on the mound against Washington again. Everybody and their dog expected old-school Nats manager Frank Robinson to respond by beaning Pedro, but it didn't happen. Nobody was hit in the game and the Mets rode a fine performance by Martinez to a 3-1 victory.

-Right handed Sox reliever Julian Tavarez will return today from his 10-day suspension, which came in response to his punching Tampa Bay center-fielder Joey Gathright in the face during a spring exhibition game. His presence will add to what projects to be a fantastic bullpen, especially with Papelbon pitching the way he is.

-Rookie second baseman Ian Kinsler of the Texas Rangers - the replacement of super slugger Alfonso Soriano - was put on the DL today because of a dislocated left thumb. His spot on the roster was taken by outfielder Gary Matthews Jr., who was being activated from the DL after a rib-cage injury.

-With the activation yesterday of starter David Wells of the Red Sox, most expected lefty Lenny Dinardo to be sent back to Pawtucket. Not so, as reliever David Riske was put on the DL with a back strain, leaving room for Dinardo. It was a good thing, too, as Dinardo (who usually starts in the minor leagues and makes a good long-man out of a major-league bullpen) picked up for David Wells in the fifth inning and didn't let the Blue Jays get too far ahead in the game, although the Sox offense would never recover from the six-run performance by David Wells. Speaking of Wells, he better watch his performances closely. Yesterday's was most likely a result of his not getting enough work in during spring training, but he has to remember that the Sox have Papelbon just waiting to take his spot in the rotation if he falters.