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“[I was] shocked, very shocked,” Wakefield said Saturday morning inside Boston’s clubhouse, the first time he spoke on the matter.

“I don’t know what else to say about it. I think I was on the field [during batting practice], and somebody came and told me that Dougie got released and I’m like, ‘What?’ I came in [to the clubhouse] and found out the truth. [Manager Terry Francona] called me in the office right after that and told me. I’m saddened by the whole situation, but it’s a business decision on [the team's] part.”

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The team certainly had no obligation to speak with Wakefield prior to releasing Mirabelli, but given that Wakefield 1) has thrown almost exclusively to Mirabelli over the last couple of seasons; 2) has struggled throwing to other catchers (e.g., Josh Bard); and 3) is a member of the starting rotation and will likely pitch at least 175 innings for the team, I am a little surprised that he wasn’t at least consulted by team management before Mirabelli was giving his walking papers.

I wonder if Wakefield will be as effective this season without Mirabelli?