This may not be a story come tomorrow, as Boston Red Sox right-hander Justin Masterson is likely headed to Double-A Portland following Tuesday night’s game. But, we will see his name again this season or next, so get familiar with his game and what we might see from him in a prolonged stint in the majors.

He won his first career big league start with 6.1 strong innings in a win over Kansas City. He allowed three hits, three walks and one run and struck out five Royals.

Masterson is a big guy (6-6, 250 pounds) with a low three-quarters arm angle. He’s not a sidearmer, but he’s not far from it. The unconventional arm motion helps him drive a sinker-slider combination down in the strike zone, and it also leads to some sporadic wildness, which he uses to his favor. He doesn’t have a big problem with walking batters, and the fastballs that get away from him make hitters uneasy in the box.

His slider seems to be an underrated pitch. It doesn’t often get above a hitter’s knees, and he stays on top of it just enough to make it bite at the end. That’s his future out pitch.

The Red Sox have created options with how they use Masterson in the future. He was dominant in 14 relief appearances in his debut with the Lowell Red Sox of the New York-Penn League in 2006. He’s been a starter in each of his three seasons since, and has proven himself quite capable in either role. He could follow the same path as Clay Buchholz, making scattered spot starts throughout the year then ending up in the bullpen for the stretch run.

Boston ultimately expects Masteron to land in its bullpen, it’s just a matter of when that happens. Judging by how his season is currently going, he should remain a starter until the offseason, then iron out his future for the 2009 season. Keep him on your radar in the meantime, this is a guy who could make a fantasy impact in the not-too-distant future.

Other Red Sox notes …
Boston is calling up another minor leaguer for a Wednesday start. This time, it will be veteran Bartolo Colon, who has pitched well in three starts at Triple-A Pawtucket. He went 2-0 with a 0.64 ERA, 11 strikeouts and one walk in 14.0 innings. He’s still working his way back into shape, but figures to stick around with the parent club at least until Buchholz returns from the disabled list.

David Ortiz is officially back on track, going 2-for-4 against the Royals on Tuesday to raise his season batting average to .253. Big Papi was hitting .184 at the end of April, but has hit .357 (25-for-71) with 5 home runs and 16 RBIs in 17 May games.

Manny Ramirez went 0-for-4 on Tuesday night and remained at 498 career home runs. Ramirez is feeling the strain of approaching a milestone, hitting just two home runs in his last 94 at-bats.

More thoughts …
Sox1Fan highlights Masterson’s second career start.

Rimbler.com sets the record straight on Manny Ramirez’s workout habits.

Newsday’s Neil Best updates Gino Castignoli’s effort to curse the Yankees new stadium.

Dustin Hockensmith is editor of ImaginaryDiamond.com. He can be contacted at dhockensmith[at]fantasysports101.net.