Rotation still struggles; Kelly latest starter to have low quality outing.

Byline: Bill Ballou

BOSTON -- The worst statistic in baseball is the quality start.

Every start is a quality start. It's just that some are high quality and some are low quality. The Red Sox are piling up the low quality starts, getting another one from Joseph W. Kelly Jr. on Sunday night.

He gave up five runs in 4⅔ innings. That line included nine hits. Kelly didn't walk anybody, the second Sox starter in a row without a walk, and struck out three.

Unofficially, Boston's rotation has turned in 10 low-quality starts in 25 games. In the old days, those were called stinkers, but jargon rules in the 21st Century.

The earned run averages of the Red Sox starting rotation, best to worst:

Justin Masterson, 4.71; Rick Porcello, 5.34; Kelly Jr., 5.72; Clay Buchholz, 5.76; Wade Miley, 7.15.

Jimenez claimed

The Red Sox claimed utility infielder Luis Jimenez off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers. He is expected to join the team today, John Farrell said. Ryan Hanigan was moved from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL to make room for Jimenez.

The team will have to send down a pitcher when Jimenez reports to make room on the 25-man roster. That would re-balance the roster at 13 position players and 12 pitchers. However, if Kelly has another short start Friday, Boston may need to keep a deeper bullpen.

Jimenez is 27 and was 1 for 15 in 15 games for the Brewers before being designated for assignment. He has played 67 major league games combined for the Angels and Brewers.

Victorino close to return

Shane Victorino's fifth stint on the disabled list in his Red Sox career is ongoing, but plans are being made for it to end, as plans were made for the other four DL visits.

He will be having intensified workouts at Fenway Park early this week. If all goes well, Victorino will play some games at Double A Portland next weekend while Boston is playing in Toronto. Given his injury history, the Red Sox don't want to risk Victorino playing on the new artificial turf at the Rogers Centre.

The new stuff has gotten lousy reviews for causing wear and tear on backs and legs.

Rays in town

Buchholz gets the start at 7:10 tonight as the Rays arrive at Fenway Park to open a three-game series All three games are set for 7:10 p.m.

Buchholz has pitched well versus Tampa Bay through the years, going 8-6 with a 2.40 ERA. He pitched well against the Rays last month, as well, leaving the game of April 23 after six innings with the score at 1-1. Boston eventually lost, 2-1.

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