Happy news, then the joke of the day

On a day when the Mariners lose a series to the Blue Jays after not scoring a run for the second consecutive game, this should make you smile.

BOSTON -- Jon Lester is slated to return to the mound for the Boston Red Sox on Monday, nearly a year after his rookie season was cut short when he was diagnosed with cancer.

Lester was scheduled to replace Julian Tavarez for Monday's game at Cleveland, the 23-year-old left-hander's first major league appearance since he beat the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 23 last year. The Red Sox said nine days later that he had a treatable form of lymphoma.

Lester is a native Tacoman who pitched at Bellarmine Prep in high school, so good on him.

Then, there's this little delicious gem.

The club will designate pitcher Joel Pineiro (for assignment) prior to the game on Monday to make room on the roster. Pineiro was 1-1 with a 5.03 ERA in 31 games this season.

That's right, folks. After convincing the Red Sox he didn't suck to the tune of $4 million, Boston has confirmed that he does, indeed, suck.

For those of you looking for the joke, is there any bigger joke than Joel Pineiro?

That's what I thought.