RHP Justin Masterson Recalled from Double-A Portland; RHP Chris Smith Optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket

BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox today recalled righthanded pitcher Justin Masterson from Double-A Portland. Masterson, who is 1-3 with a 4.23 ERA in 8 starts for the Sea Dogs this season, will start tonight's game against the Kansas City Royals. To make room for Masterson on the active roster, righthanded pitcher Chris Smith was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket after Monday night's game. The announcement was made by executive vice president/general manager Theo Epstein. Masterson will be making his 2nd start for the Red Sox this season. He did not receive a decision in his Major League debut, allowing one run on 2 hits and 4 walks while fanning 4 in Boston's 7-5 loss to the Angels on April 24 at Fenway Park. Smith did not appear in a game in his first career stint at the Major League level. He was 1-2 with 4 saves and a 1.45 ERA in 10 games (4 starts) with Pawtucket. Tavarez accepts outright assignment to Pawtucket Right-handed pitcher Julian Tavarez today accepted an outright assignment to Pawtucket. He was designated for assignment by Boston on May 12 after going 0-1 with a 6.39 ERA in 9 relief appearances with the Red Sox in 2008. The announcement was made by Epstein. A veteran of 16 Major League seasons, Tavarez is 84-71 with 22 saves in 743 career games (108 starts). Mills to assume third-base coaching duties Bench coach Brad Mills will assume third-base coaching duties until DeMarlo Hale returns from tending to his wife, who is undergoing medical tests in Orlando, Fla. Update on outfielder Brandon Moss Outfielder Brandon Moss has played three extended spring training games at the Red Sox Minor League Complex in Fort Myers, FL. He is 8-for-13 with a double, triple, home run, 5 RBIs and 2 walks. He played on May 18 vs. Minnesota and May 19 vs. Cincinnati before going 3-for-5 with 2 RBI and 2 walks in today's game vs. Baltimore. Moss, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 5 (retroactive to May 3), is recovering from an appendectomy. He was batting .286 with 2 home runs and 3 RBIs in 6 games for the Red Sox. Items from Jon Lester's no-hitter donated to Baseball Hall of Fame The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y., will receive the following items from Jon Lester's no-hitter on May 19, 2008 vs. Kansas City: Game-used baseball, Lester's spikes, and Jason Varitek's catching equipment.