Good News on Smoltz, Bad News on Penny

We all know you can never have too much pitching, and the old adage rings true today. The Red Sox had to move Brad Penny's first start of spring back due to shoulder fatigue:

“I just don’t think the shoulder strength is quite where it needed to be yet,” Penny said. “It was better to take it easy right now rather than have it flare up on me. I’m staying on the shoulder program and I’m still going to play catch to build shoulder strength.”

Great, he is going to play catch....see you in July.

The news is much better for John Smoltz:

Smoltz had surgery on his shoulder last June and his rehab has gone very well to a point where the Red Sox have had to put the reins on the veteran right-hander so he doesn't push it too much.

But there's a chance he could be ready before the originally scheduled return date of June 1.

"If he's ready to pitch we're not going to hold him back," said Francona. "It's going to end up being pretty close."

With all of this it looks like Masterson could end up in the starting rotation on opening day.