A few games into Spring Training and our boys are looking good. Beckett was lights out against the Cards over three innings, and not allowing a hit. And Wake was back in good form today shutting out the Marlins. So it’s a great start to a bunch of games that don’t mean a damn thing.The big news for me is the return of Boof Bonser in the game against the Orioles. He pitched against Northeastern, but the game against Baltimore was the first time Bonser has pitched against MLB hitters since 2008. He suffered a torn labrum and rotator cuff on his right side while with the Twins. Bonser underwent surgery and had to sit out the 2009 season, throwing a one inning rehab session in Fort Myers.

So the addition of Bonser to the pitching staff could still easily go the way of Gagne or Smoltz. But if his first outing against professional hitters against Baltimore earlier this week is any indication, the pitching staff has gone from stacked to ridiculous.

Bonser was poised to be a starter when he was originally drafted by the Giants in 2000 (21st pick in the first round of the draft). He was traded to the Twins in 2003 and did  4 years until he worked his way up to the #2 spot behind Johan Santana.

He got fat. And after injuring his shoulder he was released by the Twins at the end of the 2008 season. So now he’s this year’s experiment. Theo loves to pick these guys up in fire sales in the hope they will be able to help bolster the rotation.

Team/Player Photos: Boston Red Sox v Colorado Rockies on Jun 22, 2010

Bonser’s potential as a starter shouldn’t be overlooked on the (*gulp*) crazy chance that both Dice and Wake collapse again. But it definitely gives the Sox an incredible middle relief bullpen.

And to top it all off, he legally changed his name from John to Boof in 2001. Long live “Teen Wolf”!