Red Sox notes: Cameron demonstrates health

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By Maureen Mullen
CSNNE.com

FORT MYERS, Fla.In the second inning of Saturdays 9-2 win over the Marlins at City of Palms Park, Mike Cameron dropped a bunt down the third base line for a single, showing that his 38-year-old legs are feeling good. Just as important, showing that hes recovered from the August surgery to repair a tear in his abdomen.

Cameron, who had been sidelined earlier in the week with tendonitis in his left knee, went 1-for-2 with a run scored and an RBI. He is batting .412 (7-for-17).

I know his left knee was bothering him for a couple days, said manager Terry Francona. But we gave him a couple days break. He looks really fresh. You can tell. He played a good game today, he jumped on that ball to left field and on most days its probably a home run, laid down a good bunt, looked like he felt good.

With Cameron limited by injuries last season, in his first season with the Sox, Francona never got to see a fully healthy outfielder.

No, not really, Francona said. It was a battle right from the beginning. And hes a tough kid but he just looks so much freer fright now. Even that smiles coming a lot quicker. It was a fight for him last year.

The Red Sox made their first round of player moves Saturday. Right-handed pitcher Stolmy Pimentel and infielder Oscar Tejeda to Double-A Portland. Reassigned to minor league camp are right-handed pitchers Tony Pena Jr., Jason Rice, Clevelan Santeliz, Kyle Weiland and Alex Wilson, catchers Tim Federowicz and Ryan Lavarnway, infielders Brent Dlugach and Hector Luna, and outfielder Che-Hsuan Lin.

Dustin Pedroia went 3-for-3 in the game. He is batting .333 (8-for-24) this spring.

The Red Sox voided the minor league contract of right-hander Jason Bergmann. He reported to camp with a shoulder injury and did not pitch.

Clay Buchholzs next scheduled day to start is Monday. But, with the Red Sox facing the Yankees Monday night at City of Palms Park, Francona prefers to hold Buchholz back from a division rival. Right-hander Alfredo Aceves will likely get the start instead, with Buchholz pitching in an alternate scenario, such as a simulated game.

Pitchers scheduled for the game against the Pirates in Bradenton include Josh Beckett, Scott Atchison, Andrew Miller, and Daniel Bard.

Maureen Mullen is on Twitter at http:twitter.commaureenamullen

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