Bartolo is Back

Bartolo Colon is finally set to debut for the Boston Red Sox.

Manager Terry Francona announced Sunday morning that the 34-year-old righty will start this Wednesday against the Kansas City Royals at Fenway Park, picking up the slack left by the injured Clay Buchholz... who broke a nail.

Colon has impressed the Sox in his three starts with AAA Pawtucket, putting up a 2-0 record and 0.64 ERA, striking out 11 batters over 14 innings. Last season, Colon went 6-8 with a 6.34 ERA in 18 starts for the Los Angeles Angels.

Boston called up right-hander Justin Masterson from the AA Portland Seadogs to spot start this Tuesday before optioning him immediately after the game to make room for Colon on Wednesday.

[Boston Globe]

Bartolo Colon Signs Minor League Deal

Bartolo Colon has reportedly signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox.

If he makes the cut for the Opening Day roster, the husky right-hander would be a temporary replacement for veteran starter Curt Schilling, who will continue to rehab a shoulder injury into the first part of this season.

The 2007 season was plagued by injury for the former Los Angeles Angels hurler, as he finished with a 6-8 record and 6.34 ERA, the crappiest mark of his 11-year career. However, he's still a two-time 20-game champ and 2005 AL Cy Young Award winner, boasting a career 146-95 record and 4.10 ERA.

Get ready for a 4-way slugfest for the 5th spot in the rotation between Colon, Clay Buchholz, Julian Tavarez and Kyle Synder.

[ESPN]

Bartolo Colon's Back

The Los Angeles Angels activated Bartolo Colon from the 15-day disabled list prior to Sunday's game against the Cleveland Indians, after the irritation had left the righty's pitching elbow.

The 34-year-old Colon, out of commission since July 24th, pitched five minor league games during his rehab stint, going 3-0 with an impressive 1.07 ERA.

The two-time All-Star is 6-6 with a 6.72 ERA in 16 starts this season, re-joining an 84-59 Angels club that have the playoffs well under-wraps. With just 19 games left of their season, the Halos are 8 long games ahead of the Seattle Mariners, boasting the second-best record in the American League behind the 87-57 Boston Red Sox.

[Sports Network]

Oh, Ken Peters. You Slay Us

Another A+ for AP Sports Writer Ken Peters, who cracks us up once again with this humdinger of a headline...

A's Pound Ailing Colon, Rout Angels 12-6

*Dear Anonymous commenter,

Don't make us explain that WE KNOW Colon is not pronounced like the organ and that Wang is actually pronounced "Wong"... so shut up.

Thursday's Babelicious Scoreboard

Bartolo Colon, a rather husky gentleman, struck out 11 behind a five-run first inning, leading the Los Angeles Angels (12-10) to an 11-3 whoopin' of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (9-13) on Thursday.

Colon (2-0, 1.93 ERA) allowed only four hits over seven innings, including a two-run homer by Carlos Peña in the fourth. The 2005 AL Cy Young Award winner showed his stamina as he struck out the side in the seventh, topping 94 mph with his 103rd and final pitch.

Jae Seo (1-2, 9.51 ERA) lasted 1.1 innings - retiring only three of the 12 batters he faced - charged with six runs and seven hits. Seo threw 42 pitches in the first inning, including a first-pitch fastball to Vladimir Guerrero that cleared the fence in left-center after a walk to Orlando Cabrera.

Gary Matthews Jr. and Shea Hillenbrand led a 13-hit attack with three hits each while everyone in the Angels' starting lineup had at least one hit, one run scored and one RBI except #9 hitter Brandon Wood, who made his big league debut at third base and went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. Poor Brandon Wood.

[MLB]