Some very sad news broke from the Red Sox on Friday: Anthony Rizzo has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Although being diagnosed with cancer is obviously a tough blow to take in your first full professional season, the Red Sox and their medical staff expect that he will make a full recovery. Rizzo, a first baseman taken in the 6th round of the 2007 draft, had really impressed with his bat, hitting .373 with 11 RBIs before he was placed on the DL in late April. The doctors caught the disease early and Hodgkin's Lymphoma is a very curable form of cancer. Personally, knowing someone around Rizzo's age who has beaten the disease in less than six months leaves me very optimistic for his chance of returning to baseball in 2009. We all hope that Rizzo has an easy recovery and our best wishes go out to him and his family.

In other news, Justin Masterson will start Tuesday for the Sox, with Bartolo Colon pitching on Wednesday. The plethora of pitching moves is currently showing off the depth that the Red Sox have in their system. Chris Smith, recently called up from Pawtucket, may not even get to pitch unless he does tonight against the Royals. Masterson pitched very well in his last MLB start on April 24th and Colon pitched well in his latest start in Pawtucket.

Daniel Bard, a 2006 first round draft pick by the Red Sox, has been promoted. Bard, a big 6-4 right hander, has a blistering fastball and reportedly has found a curveball that has helped make him very successful. After completely dominating Greenville hitters to the tune of 28 innings pitched, 4 walks, 43 Ks and a 0.64 ERA, he was promoted to Portland. He made his debut last night, pitching an inning and striking out the side swinging. The complete turn around this year has been impressive, the key being his control as he has only walked 4 batters all season. Conversely, he walked 78 in 75 innings last season. Let's hope he is on the fast track to the 8th inning duties in Boston.

You A Bad Mang is a senior writer for Boston Sports Buzz.