Craig Breslow (shoulder) made a relief appearance in a minor league game on Monday afternoon. It was his first live appearance of the spring. Breslow has been slowed in Red Sox camp by left shoulder inflammation and seems likely to open the 2014 regular season on the 15-day disabled list. The Red Sox can back-date that disabled list stint so that he's eligible to join their bullpen in early April.

The Boston Globe's Pete Abraham believes Craig Breslow (shoulder) will start the season on the disabled list because he's scheduled to pitch in a minor league game Monday. "Now he can be back-dated," Abraham tweeted. Breslow was supposed to make his Grapefruit League debut Monday, but he hasn't progressed as the club had hoped. The veteran left-hander is suffering from a bout of shoulder inflammation that has kept him out of game action to this point.

Craig Breslow (shoulder) threw a 20-pitch live batting practice session Friday. It's the first time he's faced hitters this spring, as the veteran left-hander is nursing some shoulder inflammation again this spring. Breslow is slated for his Grapefruit League debut Monday and thinks he'll have time to get ready for Opening Day. However, Red Sox manager John Farrell said it's "probably premature" to say the southpaw will be available for the opener.

Craig Breslow (shoulder) believes he'll be healthy for Opening Day. For a pitcher who hasn't appeared in a game or thrown a live bullpen session this spring, it's a confident proclamation. But keep in mind that Breslow also didn't pitch in spring training last year due to shoulder inflammation and ended up having his best season. "I think I'll be ready," said Breslow, "but I don't make the final decision, obviously. I feel good, I feel strong. We talked about from the beginning that I don't need a ton of games, I just need some repetitions and that was something I could kind of do on the side, throwing bullpens etc."

Craig Breslow is slated to face hitters Friday for the first time this spring. Breslow didn't pitch in spring training last year due to shoulder inflammation and ended up having his best season, so the Red Sox are taking things slow with him this spring. If all goes well Friday, he'll pitch in a game next Monday.

Craig Breslow has yet to throw off a mound in Red Sox' camp. Breslow dealt with a sore shoulder in spring training last season and began the year on the disabled list, so the club is taking it slowly with him this year. Red Sox manager John Farrell said the reliever has thrown long-toss on back-to-back days with "increased intensity" and is close to throwing off a mound. "Things are moving in the right direction," Farrell said.

Craig Breslow picked up his first win of the season by tossing 1 2/3 scoreless relief innings against the Twins Saturday. Breslow missed the first five weeks of the season with shoulder inflammation and has posted a 1.35 ERA over seven appearances since his activation. The 32-year-old Yale graduate has never finished a season with an ERA higher than 3.75 and boasts a 2.97 career number. Nerds don't often fool scouts, but Breslow has made it look easy.

Red Sox activated LHP Craig Breslow from the 15-day disabled list. Breslow missed the first five weeks of the season with a shoulder issue. The left-hander had a cool 2.70 ERA in 63 1/3 innings last year between Arizona and Boston.

Craig Breslow (shoulder) is close to being activated from the disabled list. Breslow struggled in his first couple rehab outings, but he's looked better of late, tossing a second straight scoreless frame for Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday. "Getting closer," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "We'll review that internally and determine if that's when we return immediately on the homestand or if there's a need for an additional [rehab] appearance. But the most important thing is with each outing he's gotten more crisp with all his pitches and moving in the right direction."

Craig Breslow (shoulder) will make rehab appearances on Saturday and Sunday with Triple-A Pawtucket. Breslow didn't retire any of the four batters he faced in his first rehab appearance at Double-A Portland on Tuesday. He's feeling OK, though, and just needs to work on his breaking ball while building up arm strength. The lefty could be back early next month.