I was really looking forward to the opportunity to talk with Brandon Moss about his experience in Japan when he returns to the PawSox next week. But that may have to wait.

A late fill-in for J.D. Drew, Moss made the most of his playing time, putting the Sox ahead in the sixth and belting the tying homer in the ninth in Boston’s 6-5 opening day win.

Will Moss’ good fortune translate to a spot in Boston if the club decides not to purchase the contract of Bobby Kietly and trades Coco Crisp?

Just before leaving for Japan the Red Sox made more roster moves, sending RHP Bartolo Colon and infielders Keith Ginter and Joe Thurston to minor league camp.

Colon, a non-roster invitee, was hoping to catch on as the team’s fifth starter. Instead he had an uneventful spring and if he stays with the club will likely start the season in Pawtucket.

Both Ginter and Thurston showed instances of promise this spring, but neither was expected to make the big league club coming out of camp.

The Red Sox sent four more players down to the PawSox today. Among them was RHP Craig Hanson.

Hanson had an up and down spring with the big club, ending on a positive note by pitching 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief in today’s game against the Yankees. The Sox are still looking for Hanson to contribute in the future.

Also sent to the PawSox today were catcher George Kottaras, RHP Lincoln Holdzkom and 1B/OF Chris Carter.

The Sox made a couple of roster moves yesterday, optioning RHP Davern Hansack and OF Jonathan Van Every to the PawSox and reassigning RHP Lee Gronkiewicz, LHP Michael Tejera and LHP Jon Switzer to minor league camp.

Red Sox.com has a nice piece on outfielder Chris Carter. Carter, who can also play first base and DH, was sent to Boston from the Washington Nationals to complete last year’s trade of Wily Mo Pena. Carter has had a solid spring to date, belting four homers and hitting .357. He should be a pleasure to watch in Pawtucket.

Speaking of the local nine, the first spring game for the Pawsox takes place today when they host the Rochester Red Wings in Fort Myers. Good times.

The Red Sox have announced that it has released back-up catcher Doug Mirabelli.

Right now it looks like Kevin Cash may be the most likely replacement as the Sox back-up. He did play for the big club last year and proved to be very effective in handling Tim Wakefield’s knuckleball.

This move makes the competition between Dusty Brown and George Kottaras in Pawtucket something that will be fun to watch.