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Notes: Miller ready for next outing
Pitcher would like to face minor leaguers for next rehab work
NEW YORK -- Red Sox right-hander Wade Miller has reached the point in his recovery where he's ready to go every fifth day again. Granted, that every fifth day is not yet at the Major League level, but Miller is enthused by the way he is feeling.
A day after pitching in an intrasquad minor league game in Fort Myers, Fla., Miller was already looking forward to his next outing.
Miller will pitch on Thursday. The only question is where it will be.
Sox manager Terry Francona talked about Miller's next start being in an extended Spring Training game in Florida, but the right-hander is going to try and talk the club into letting him pitch in a higher-level minor league game.
"I might be traveling elsewhere," said Miller. "[I'd rather] face hitters without worrying about hitting one of my own teammates."
One possibility Miller mentioned is pitching for Class A Greenville in a game at Myrtle Beach, S.C.
The way Miller is feeling, he doesn't think it's out of the question he'll pitch for the Red Sox before April ends.
"That's my goal," Miller said. "I'm not quite sure what they have in mind, but that's my goal. I feel really confident right now. I feel like I have good stuff and something to give."
Miller last pitched in a Major League game for the Astros on July 2, 2004, and then shut it down for the rest of the season with a frayed rotator cuff. The Red Sox have done everything in their power to make sure they are patient with his recovery.
"He's got a little ways to go," said Francona. "This isn't just a normal Spring Training. This guy's kind of rehabbing here. He's not quite there yet. He's doing great, he's making really good progress."
Schilling penciled in for Fenway: Francona confirmed that ace Curt Schilling, who pitched against Miller on Saturday, is tentatively slated to make his 2005 debut against the Yankees at Fenway Park on April 13.
Schilling, who joined the Sox for Sunday's Opening Night festivities, has one more hurdle to clear, that being a minor league start for Triple-A Pawtucket on Thursday.
"He had a real good outing, turned it up another notch," said Francona. "He's doing real well."
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Scent is gone: The visitors' clubhouse at Yankee Stadium no longer smelled like champagne, a little less than six months after the Red Sox celebrated the American League pennant. But the room did look a little different.
"The only thing different is that they got new carpet in there, because I think we screwed it up with the champagne," Francona said. "Other than that, [2004] doesn't matter. Randy Johnson, if that's not enough to get us into the present, I don't know what is."
Renteria makes debut: With little fanfare, Edgar Renteria made his Boston debut Sunday night, batting second and playing shortstop.
Though Renteria is one of the quietest members of the team, Sox center fielder Johnny Damon said the loose atmosphere of the clubhouse is starting to rub off on the veteran shortstop.
"He's been awesome," Damon said. "We're getting him to start talking smack with us. I think he's learning well. He's just a heck of a player, and I think he's a very consistent player who will enjoy the highs but won't have to go through the lows so much."
No late night for Sox: The Sox were supposed to spend part of Monday's off day taping a spot for the "Late Show with David Letterman", but that was canceled due to logistical issues between the program and the team.
