Tim Wakefield said that he feels comfortable enough to return the Red Sox after throwing 5 2/3 innings of one-run, two-hit ball against the Rochester Red Wings in Pawtucket on Friday night. Asked whether he would make his case to the Red Sox that he doesn't need further rehab following the 81-pitch outing Wakefield replied, "I think they know that's my case."
 
"I felt like I could have gone seven [tonight], but doing that here tonight proved to me that my stamina’s back and I’m ready to go," Wakefield added. "I felt great physically. Compared to last week, I think my strength has increased a tremendous amount from last week to tonight. I was able to still throw some more pitches, to cover first base. There’s still a little limp there, but nothing’s really bothering me to pitch." For the rest of Wakefield's comments and an inning-by-inning look at his latest rehab start,...

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports is reporting that the Boston Red Sox have claimed Billy Wagner off waivers, according to two major-league sources. Rosenthal says that the New York Mets have three options: They can work out a trade with the Sox by 1 p.m. ET on Tuesday; they can allow Wagner to depart on the claim; or they can pull Wagner back off waivers, a move that would prevent them from trading Wagner for the remainder of the season. Billy Wagner does have a full no-trade clause, so he could veto any trade.