Red Sox notes: Kalish not likely to play for rest of year

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BOSTON -- Outfielder Ryan Kalish will be used sparingly, if at all, by the Red Sox for the remainder of the season.
Unless an emergency arises, I cant see him playing, said manager Bobby Valentine. He hasnt swung now in a long time. So he might pinch-run. Hes not even throwing very much. Hes here just in case of emergency.Kalish is still recovering from two surgeries last offseason.I think hes going to be fine for spring training, Valentine said. I think hes going to get on a program during wintertime thats going to put his body and his mind in the exact place it needs to be to be the kind of player we need for next year.
Felix Doubront (11-9, 5.08 ERA) will make his 28th start of the season today. Before this year, he had made just 23 major-league appearances, with three starts, over the last two seasons.I certainly hope that this has established him in his mind and the mind of others that hes a bona-fide starting pitcher in the major leagues, Valentine said, who added "I think it was just opportunity and he made the best of it every time he got the ball.I think he came to spring training in good shape," Valentine also said. "I think that was the key. I think that this winter will be a very crucial winter for him to continue his physical stability." Valentine was pleased with Danny Valencias first home run with the Sox on Saturday.He came back from playing for Triple-A Pawtucket with a different swing, Valentine said. PawSox manager Arnie Beyeler and crew down there worked with him pretty rigorously. When he was here last time, he hadnt played very much. He was in limbo or something for a while and his swing wasnt what it should be and it looked much different when he came back in batting practice and it looked much different in a game and I think hes still getting into the routine of feeling good about himself. In one of the more light-hearted moments of the day, Valentine was asked why he sniffs the baseball when he goes to the mound to take a pitcher of a game. His response:I asked myself that once while I was doing it. I like it. I like the smell of it. I t must be the Mississippi mud mixed in with that Taiwanese leather. I dont know why I do it. Its kind of weird. When I smelled it last night I said someones going to ask me why I smell it. Its kind of stupid, isnt it? I dont think it affects the guy coming in. I dont spit on it.The Red Sox will honor Johnny Pesky in a postgame ceremony beginning at 6 p.m. The event is open to fans attending todays game as well as the general public at no charge. Fans are welcome to stay at Fenway until 9 p.m. A presentation on Peskys life will take place after which fans can walk on the field and view exhibits. Current and former players are expected to attend.

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