Masterson allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out seven in Thursday night's 6-2 win over Philadelphia. He threw 95 pitches, 64 for strikes. Masterson was given a six-run lead in the third inning, which helped, but he was on point Thursday. In addition to the seven strikeouts, he induced seven ground ball outs and threw strikes with all of his pitches. Not every night will be this good, but Masterson's pitching for a team with a good offense and six runs will be good enough to get a win most nights.

Masterson will start the third game of the season against the Phillies. Masterson slots in behind Clay Buchholz and Rick Porcello in Boston's rotation.

Masterson allowed one run on five hits and a walk while striking out four in 5.2 innings in Monday night's game against the Twins. Masterson was able to extend himself a bit, getting up and down six times and throwing close to 100 pitches. He's made a case for himself to be the No. 3 starter behind Clay Buchholz and Rick Porcello.

Masterson threw 80 pitches over five innings against minor-league competition Wednesday, the Providence Journal reports. Masterson had a rocky first inning, giving up four runs to the Single-A hitters, but settled in after that. He said he felt strong -- better than he did in his last outing. There's still an issue of reduced velocity this spring, but Masterson feels he's nearly ready for the regular season.

Masterson allowed one run on four hits and two walks while striking out one in four innings against Baltimore on Friday. Masterson bounced back from an unsettling outing his last time out, inducing nine groundball outs, but his fastball velocity still isn't up to where it was in 2013. Various reports indicate different velocity figures, but he sat in the high-80s for most of the game and dialed up on pitch to 92 mph. He threw 76 pitches Friday and has two or three more starts. He felt he was better Friday but still needs the work to iron out the heater.

Masterson had trouble finding his arm slot Sunday and gave up six runs on seven hits and two walks in 3.1 innings in a game against the Phillies, WEEI.com reports. With his arm slot off, Masterson couldn't establish normal velocity and was susceptible to left-handed hitters who hit two homers off him. But only in baseball can someone come out of a performance like that with optimism. Masterson said he feels much better this season than he did last year at this time.

Masterson logged three scoreless innings, striking out four while not surrendering a hit in Tuesday's game against the Rays. The Rays had a split-squad day Tuesday and sent the B-teamers to Fort Myers, so Masterson's sterling effort needs to be viewed in that context. Still, the right-hander has tossed five scoreless innings to date. With some expected tweaks coming to the rotation, Masterson is line to pitch the third game of the season in Philadelphia.

Masterson made his spring training debut Friday night, giving up one unearned run on one hit and a walk in two innings against Miami, WEEI.com reports. Masterson kept his sinker down for the most part and induces groundball outs. He's happy where he's at this spring, a marked difference from last season when he didn't feel right after suffering an oblique injury in 2013.

Masterson had a bullpen session at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers and reported "nothing hurts" afterwards, WEEI.com reports. The significance of his "nothing hurts" comment is that Masterson didn't feel this way last February when he first threw bullpen sessions following a September 2013 oblique injury. He said he didn't prepare himself properly leading up to the 2014 season, a year in which Masterson finished with an ERA of 5.88 in 25 combined starts between Cleveland and St. Louis.

Masterson agreed to terms with the Red Sox on Thursday, ESPN reports. After opening the season as the Indians' ace, Masterson experienced knee issues that landed him on the disabled list. After a deadline deal that sent him to St. Louis, the Cardinals made the call to move him to the bullpen, where he posted a disappointing 3-3 record and 7.04 ERA. It's unclear how the Sox intend to use Masterson, who began his major league career in Boston, but he'll likely be given an opportunity to prove he can return to a starting role.