by Sports Xchange

Updated: July 18, 2008, 4:20 AM EST

add this RSS blog email print

--DH David Ortiz embarked on a minor league rehabilitation assignment Thursday night. He went 1-for 3 with a solo home run and a walk. Ortiz was originally slated to play three home games for Class AAA Pawtucket, take a day off and then play three more home games for Class AA Portland while priming himself for big-league pitching. At Ortiz's request, however, the designated hitter will play Sunday for the PawSox -- meaning he will play seven consecutive games, a test for the left wrist injury that landed Big Papi on the 15-day disabled list.

--OF J.D. Drew was named the MVP of the All-Star Game on Tuesday night. He blasted a two-run homer and played nine innings during the 15-inning game. Drew also revealed after the game that he would have been the first position player to pitch if the game had continued much longer. According to manager Terry Francona, Drew has previously requested a shot to pitch if the Red Sox ever require the services of a positional player on the mound.

--OF Manny Ramirez had some harsh words for Red Sox management and ownership over the All-Star break when he hinted that the organization has been disingenuous with him about his contract status.

"I want no more (expletive) where they tell you one thing and behind your back they do another thing," Ramirez told the Boston Herald, a reference to his contract situation. "I think I've earned that respect for a team to sit down with me and tell me this is what they want, this is what they want to do."

The Sox hold $20 million team options for both the 2009 and 2010 seasons that they can enact one at a time, and on Thursday principal owner John Henry took umbrage with Ramirez's comments.

"I find remarks that we have been anything other than completely straightforward to be personally offensive," Henry wrote in an e-mail to the Herald. "Manny has been a crucial part of two world championships. I do not believe we would have won either without him. He has never played a more important role than he has thus far this year."

BY THE NUMBERS: 1 -- Stolen base that OF Jacoby Ellsbury managed to accumulate over the last 22 games before the break after setting the basepaths on fire over the first three months of the season.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "When David hurt his wrist, J.D. Drew came in and he did a great job. But we always need David because of his energy, his jokes. He is a premier bat and he always keeps us relaxed, which is the key to the game." --OF Manny Ramirez, on the absence of DH David Ortiz.