By BRENDAN MCGAIR

Sports writer

Justin Masterson could be with the PawSox for a start or two. The 23-year-old blessed with a power sinker might emerge into a featured summertime attraction at McCoy Stadium.
The two starts Masterson has under his belt with the Boston club have made this abundantly clear: the 6-foot-6 right-hander is a prime choice to be heard from once late-September and October roll around.

You get the feeling while chatting with Masterson that he completely understands more prestigious assignments await. Asked specifically what Terry Francona’s parting message was prior to getting optioned to Triple-A and Masterson hinted as much.
“[Francona] said to keep doing what I’m doing and go down and get your innings in. Continue to throw and keep getting more consistent,” said Masterson. “Stay within your game and more than likely they’ll be using me later on.”
“He’s already a guy in the plans,” said PawSox manager Ron Johnson. “That’s not hidden because Justin has already made two starts.”
For someone who has achieved the rare feat of making his MLB debut before his initial Triple-A start, Masterson has a good grasp of the big picture. He understands the Red Sox are one of a handful of franchises that can legitimately proclaim going into the season they have this clear-cut objective: be around when October arrives.
In order to survive the land minds that can creep up over the course of a 162-game slate, chances are you’re going to be calling upon reinforcements. Whether that means dipping into the farm system or combing the waiver wire, it’s a given there will be leaks in need of some plugging.
This holds especially true for pitchers. Given the alarming rate in which they seem to land on the disabled list, the search for arms in today’s game is greater than ever.
The season’s not even two months in the books, yet Boston has already called upon the services of 18 pitchers, eight of whom have started. That number might seem alarmingly high and give off the vibe that the BoSox are scuffling heading into the season’s first unofficial checkpoint, that being Memorial Day.
Think again. Despite the upstarts from Tampa Bay breathing down Boston’s neck, the Red Sox appear in fine shape as the dog days of summer approach.
The reason? The Red Sox are blessed with a tremendous amount of pitching depth. Josh Beckett on the DL? Let’s summon Masterson from Double-A Portland. Clay Buchholz shelved with a middle finger injury on his pitching hand? Let’s give former Cy Young winner Bartolo Colon a shot.
“We have the luxury right now of having bodies,” said Johnson. 
The competition to pitch at Fenway Park is so fierce that you need to distinguish yourself when given the opportunity. In Masterson’s case, he’s done just that. All he’s done in two starts is post a miniscule ERA (1.46) and surrendered five hits in 12 1/3 innings. Those stats alone scream heavy-duty consideration for another shot.
Given that it’s been a whirlwind eight-week stretch for Masterson, the Red Sox thought it would be in the youngster’s best interest to skip him a start and allow him to come up for air. Had he been kept on schedule, Masterson would have started this afternoon to kickoff Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s first visit to Pawtucket this year.
Masterson’s debut with the PawSox is expected to come Saturday night in Durham. If PawSox fans want to start making plans, Masterson would be in line to make his McCoy debut June 10 against Louisville.
Masterson is appreciative for the chance to recharge his batteries. 
“You don’t have too many chances to [take a break during the season],” he said. “It should be good coming back with some fire.”
”We’re playing to be in October,” said Johnson. “We want to make sure these young guys are there. Whether that means cutting their outings down, like what happened when Buchholz first came here last year, I’m a believer with what works around here.”
Masterson is the type of arm the Red Sox figure to count on for many years to come. Whether he’s in a starting capacity or providing some late-inning lightning remains to be seen.
One thing is certain: the trajectory Masterson currently finds himself on almost makes him a given to be around for some pressure-cooker baseball in Boston.