Beckett forces a move; With Timlin also close, two pitchers must go.

• Position: SPORTS

Byline: Bill Ballou

COLUMN: RED SOX NOTES

TORONTO - Josh Beckett comes off the disabled list tomorrow to make his first start of the 2008 season, with Mike Timlin probably not far behind that, so at least two other Red Sox pitchers are with Boston on borrowed time.

"There's a boatload of factors (involved)," manager Terry Francona said of the decision-making process that will lead to the roster moves. "I think we have a pretty good handle on our guys. Sometimes, there's not a lot of flexibility, and that comes from having veterans. We feel comfortable with our evaluations. It's just tough trying to make them fit into a 25-man roster."

Beckett does not have to be activated until tomorrow, so the Sox don't have to make any moves until then. He will pitch against Roy Halladay in that game.

Timlin threw 35 pitches here in the batting cages on Thursday and is scheduled to do the same today. After that, the veteran reliever will be sent to Pawtucket and likely pitch twice in Triple A - for the first time on Monday - before coming back to the majors.

Another minor start for Colon

Francona spoke on the phone with Bartolo Colon yesterday, a day after he pitched well for the Pawtucket Red Sox.

"Everyone who saw him was impressed," Francona said. The plan is for Colon to eventually get up to the 100-pitch level before being brought up to Boston.

"For him, he's still at the end of spring training," the manager added, saying that Colon's next appearance will definitely again be for the PawSox.

Ricciardi likes his Blue Jays

Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi had a succinct answer when asked if this was the best team Toronto has had since he took over from Gord Ash.

"Yes," he replied.

"If we stay healthy, we have a good club. We have depth, position-wise, that we haven't had before. This is a good crew."

Before the game, Ricciardi announced that Toronto had locked up Alex Rios and Aaron Hill for the next several seasons. Rios got a six-year deal that starts next year and will pay him $64 million. Hill's contract starts this year and goes for four years, totaling $12 million. The team has an option that could make the deal last through the 2014 season.

While the Jays were nailing down the future, they were also celebrating their past. Last night's home opener was the first time they wore their old retro uniforms, the powder blue...