Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald reports that the Red Sox have "closely monitored" Felix Doubront's offseason conditioning program this winter. They've also "encouraged him to return to the U.S. earlier than usual" after Doubront went back to his native Venezuela after the World Series. The left-hander has shown up to spring training out of shape two of the last three years, and he can't afford to do so again with a rotation spot on the line. Lauber writes that "a strong spring from Doubront could compel the Red Sox to pull the trigger on a trade involving either Ryan Dempster or Jake Peavy."

The Red Sox are planning to carry Felix Doubront over Matt Thornton for the final spot in their ALDS roster, a source told CSNNE.com's Sean McAdam. Thornton is the proven reliever, but he's given up 22 hits and struck out just nine in 15 1/3 innings since coming over from the White Sox. The Red Sox will try Doubront instead and hope that his success starting carries over to the pen. They'll have three left-handed relievers in all, with Craig Breslow and Franklin Morales also occupying spots.

Felix Doubront will rejoin Boston's starting rotation this Saturday against the Blue Jays. Doubront was skipped last week following Clay Buchholz's return from the disabled list. Doubront has struggled in recent starts and is not a good fantasy bet vs. Toronto.

Felix Doubront is slated to rejoin the Red Sox starting rotation next weekend against the Blue Jays. Doubront will throw a side session on Sunday and a simulated game on Tuesday before returning to take on the Jays. Before his layoff, Doubront failed to make it out of the fourth inning in each of his previous two starts, and struggled mightily with his command.

Felix Doubront will rejoin the Red Sox' rotation, possibly as early as next week. Doubront was skipped this week with Clay Buchholz back from the disabled list. The young left-hander hasn't been removed from the rotation, though, and it sounds like the club could go to a modified six-man rotation over the final weeks. "He'll get another start," said manager John Farrell. "We've just skipped him in this turn in the rotation. He'll get some side work with (pitching coach) Juan (Nieves). We have yet to determine when he's going to actually be inserted back into the rotation."

The Red Sox will skip Felix Doubront's next scheduled start. Doubront has logged just 3 2/3 innings in each of his last two starts, and struggled to find the strike zone consistently in each. While they haven't announced that Doubront is completely out of the rotation, that could very well be the case. Clay Buchholz is returning to start Tuesday's series opener against the Rays in Tampa Bay, and will be followed by Ryan Dempster and Jake Peavy.

Felix Doubront was atrocious in a no-decision against the Yankees on Friday, allowing six runs on three hits and six walks in just 3 2/3 innings. Doubront struck out two on the evening, but his overall command was horrendous. Alfonso Soriano tagged him for a two-run blast in the first inning, and the Bombers tacked on pairs of runs on in the second and fourth before chasing him from the game. It's the second straight start in which he's failed to make it out of the fourth inning, which is certainly worrisome. He'll try to get back on track against the Rays in Tampa Bay on Thursday.

Felix Doubront coughed up four runs on seven hits over 3 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the White Sox on Sunday. He struck out four and walked one. Boston persevered and won the game despite Doubront's stinker, mostly because the bullpen held Chicago to two runs over 5 1/3 relief innings. Doubront has walked only three batters over his last three starts, and his last two outings were stellar, so we aren't going to panic over one dud. The left-hander stands 10-6 with a 3.89 ERA.

Felix Doubront allowed two runs over 6 2/3 innings in a win over the Orioles on Tuesday. Doubront has now reeled off two good starts his last two times out. On Tuesday, he gave up just four hits and a walk while striking out seven batters. The lefty is now 10-6 with a 3.74 ERA on the season. He'll try to keep it going against a struggling White Sox offense on Sunday.

Felix Doubront pitched eight innings of one-run ball in Boston's 12-1 drubbing of San Francisco on Wednesday. That's as many innings as he pitched in his previous two starts combines. Doubront, though, has been a much improved pitcher this season, even with his strikeout rate down some. He's currently 9-6 with a 3.79 ERA. He's allowed more than three earned runs once in his last 18 starts.