Jed Lowrie

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red Sox players friendly with stricken prospect Ryan Westmoreland said the 19-year-old outfielder learned of his rare brain condition after experiencing a series of headaches and other symptoms while working out at the minor league camp last month. The team announced Saturday night that Westmoreland has a “cavernous malformation’’ of weak blood vessels in his brain and would have surgery tomorrow in Phoenix. ESPN reported that the malformation is located in Westmoreland’s brain stem, which could complicate the procedure and leave severe neurological damage.

TAMPA, Fla. — Some random thoughts on the Red Sox written while dodging raindrops in the Sunshine State: • In Philadelphia, it has been speculated that the Red Sox should swap Kevin Youkilis for Joe Blanton. It was suggested here over the winter several times that trading Youkilis for pitching made sense. But the Sox need to get more than Blanton, who would get diced up in the AL East. Better to get a few prospects and build for the future than a 31-year-old who isn't going to make a difference.

SEATTLE - First Kevin Youkilis, then Marco Scutaro dropped out of the Red Sox lineup before last night's game against the Mariners, both felled by stiff backs. Manager Terry Francona plugged in Jed Lowrie and Mike Aviles into the lineup. The replacements each drove in a run as the Sox rallied to a 6-4 win. David Ortiz homered and drove in two runs as the Sox won for the fifth time in their last six games and took a two-game lead on the Yankees in the division. Lowrie had a solo home run and Aviles had a sacrifice fly. "I get a kick out of when we use our whole team," Francona said.

The Red Sox optioned Mark Melancon to Triple-A Pawtucket on Wednesday. Melancon had a 49.50 earned run average in four games. His line — 2 IP, 10 H, 11 R, 11 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 5 HR — was beyond ugly. Of the 18 batters he faced, 12 got on base. Melancon did not get an out on Tuesday night against Texas, and gave up six runs in the eighth inning. The Rangers hit three home runs off him. Junichi Tazawa was called up to the Red Sox in a corresponding move. Melancon, 27, may get a chance to regroup in the minors.

TAMPA, Fla. — Some random thoughts on the Red Sox written while dodging raindrops in the Sunshine State: • In Philadelphia, it has been speculated that the Red Sox should swap Kevin Youkilis for Joe Blanton. It was suggested here over the winter several times that trading Youkilis for pitching made sense. But the Sox need to get more than Blanton, who would get diced up in the AL East. Better to get a few prospects and build for the future than a 31-year-old who isn't going to make a difference.

Jed Lowrie was activated off the disabled list. LHP Randy Williams was optioned to Pawtucket.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff Great stat from Bill Chuck of Billy-Ball.com: Since 2004, the Red Sox have had 24 different shortstops. In that same time period, the Yankees have used 15 different shortstops with Derek Jeter playing 1,188 games. Here's a breakdown of the Red Sox starters: 2004 Pokey Reese 56 Orlando Cabrera 58 Nomar Garciaparra 37 Cesar Crespo 7 Ricky Gutierrez 3 Mark Bellhorn 1 2005 Edgar Renteria 150 Ramon Vazquez 6 Alex Cora 5 Mark Bellhorn 1 2006 Alex Gonzalez...

Jacoby Ellsbury did it again, this time with a home run, as the Sox won another walk-off against Cleveland. Michael Vega has the story. Tim Wakefield pitched well, but was denied his 200th win. Franl Dell'Apa has the story. The notebook has Jed Lowrie making progress in the minors.

By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff Not much news here at Fenway beyond the sad news about Dick Williams. Adrian Gonzalez is feeling better after missing last night's game with a stiff neck. Terry Francona hasn't named his starter for Sunday and Jed Lowrie's left shoulder is still not strong enough for him to swing a bat. And ... and that's about it. We'll keep you posted if anything else comes up.

The Red Sox don't have the horses in the bullpen and everybody knows it. The only question now is how long the Red Sox can wait to address that shortage. And whether they can really address it at all. The Red Sox lost only one game in dropping their 2012 season opener to the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, so let's not put as much emphasis on the single defeat as we do the makeup of the Boston bullpen. Operating without Jonathan Papelbon, Daniel Bard or Andrew Bailey, Red Sox relievers allowed four hits and two earned runs in 1.1 innings while walking one batter and hitting another in a...

Mark Melancon was invited to spring training by the Yankees in 2009, just to get a little experience before being shipped back across the street to minor league camp. He was 24 and considered a hot prospect, so hot there was talk he one day could replace Mariano Rivera as closer. To that point in his career, Melancon had one full season of professional experience. The idea of talking to Rivera should have intimidated him, never mind the thought of replacing him. But when the question was put to him, Melancon didn't flinch.

Mark Melancon was invited to spring training by the Yankees in 2009, just to get a little experience before being shipped back across the street to minor league camp. He was 24 and considered a hot prospect, so hot there was talk he one day could replace Mariano Rivera as closer. To that point in his career, Melancon had one full season of professional experience. The idea of talking to Rivera should have intimidated him, never mind the thought of replacing him. But when the question was put to him, Melancon didn't flinch.

When the Red Sox picked up Marco Scutaro's option in October, it appeared they would be set at shortstop for 2012. Until a deal popped up that they couldn't refuse. In an unusual salary dump for Boston, the Red Sox traded Scutaro in January to Colorado for right-hander Clayton Mortensen. All of a sudden, there was an uncharacteristic hole in the infield. As a result, new manager Bobby Valentine must decide between Nick Punto, Mike Aviles, and Jose Iglesias for the position.

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Mark Melancon was once a hot prospect with the Yankees, moving from Single A to Triple A in 2008, his first full season of professional baseball. He made his major league debut in 2009, throwing two shutout innings against the Red Sox at Fenway Park April 26. Later that season, Melancon further endeared himself to Yankees fans when he drilled Dustin Pedroia in the left shoulder with a fastball after throwing a pitch over his head. Melancon was traded to Houston less than a year later and is now with the Red Sox after being obtained in December for Jed Lowrie and Kyle Weiland.

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The other day, Clay Buchholz walked down the sidewalk, an equipment bag slung over his shoulder. After a few steps, he stopped and looked around. "What direction do I go in now?" he asked a security guard. Buchholz was trying to find his way to the clubhouse at JetBlue Park. But his question also represents the state of the Red Sox as they prepare to open spring training Sunday. Once the envy of baseball for their judgment of talent, business sense, and seamless management, the Red Sox have finished in third place the last two seasons and may be no better than the...

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The other day, Clay Buchholz walked down the sidewalk, an equipment bag slung over his shoulder. After a few steps, he stopped and looked around. "What direction do I go in now?" he asked a security guard. Buchholz was trying to find his way to the clubhouse at JetBlue Park. But his question also represents the state of the Red Sox as they prepare to open spring training Sunday. Once the envy of baseball for their judgment of talent, business sense, and seamless management, the Red Sox have finished in third place the last two seasons and may be no better...

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Mark Melancon was once a hot prospect with the Yankees, moving from Single A to Triple A in 2008, his first full season of professional baseball. He made his major league debut in 2009, throwing two shutout innings against the Red Sox at Fenway Park April 26. Later that season, Melancon further endeared himself to Yankees fans when he drilled Dustin Pedroia in the left shoulder with a fastball after throwing a pitch over his head. Melancon was traded to Houston less than a year later and is now with the Red Sox after being obtained in December...