Justin Masterson called up to start this afternoon for the Red Sox

Pitcher Justin Masterson was called up from the Portland Sea Dogs today to make a spot-start against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Craig Hansen was sent back down to make room for him.

With Beckett and Daisuke both missing starts due to the flu and post-flu symptoms (Josh's stiff neck), the Red Sox were forced to bring up Masterson A LOT earlier than they had hoped we would see him.

The team didn't want to have Wakefield pitch a day earlier than he was scheduled for two reasons. The first being that Wake is getting up there in years so forcing him to get out of his rhythm and pitch a day earlier than he is supposed to, can't possibly be a good thing. The second is that Wakefield usually dominates the Devil Rays and he's the penciled in starter against them tomorrow. Why mess with a good thing?!

Masterson has a nasty 0.95 ERA in 4 starts (19 innings) for Double-A Portland thus far. I'm personally shocked that he is getting called up this early but I'd be even more shocked if he stayed around after tonight's game.