There is little question about Justin Masterson’s importance to the Boston Red Sox this season. The only uncertainty is his role.

Masterson pitched two scoreless innings Monday in Boston’s 5-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. In two appearances, the right-hander has allowed no runs, two hits and one walk in four innings.

As a rookie last year, Masterson started nine games and worked 27 out of the bullpen. In the postseason, he compiled an impressive 1.86 ERA in nine games as a reliever.

So, what will it be this year? Starter or reliever?

The answer is to be determined, but Masterson says it doesn’t matter to him and Boston manager Terry Francona is in no rush to make a decision.

Masterson retired six of seven Baltimore batters, the exception a first-inning single by Nick Markakis.

Baltimore starter Brad Bergeson pitched three innings of shutout ball, allowing four hits and striking out three. The 23-year-old was a long shot to make the team until injuries to Rich Hill, John Parrish and Brad Hennessey lessened the odds.

After Ivan Ochoa hit a two-run homer for the Red Sox to create a tie at 3-3 in the seventh inning, Donnie Murphy hit a two-run drive for Baltimore in the eighth off Adam Mills.

Phillies 12, Blue Jays 7: Raul Ibanez is starting to show the Phillies what he is capable of doing with a bat.

Ibanez hit two doubles, Ryan Howard drove a two-run homer off the light tower beyond the right-center field fence and Philadelphia beat Toronto.

Jeremy Slayden homered to highlight the Phillies’ six-run sixth inning against Jeremy Accardo. Every Phillies starter got at least one hit.

Pirates 2, Reds 1: Homer Bailey threw three scoreless innings for the Reds in a loss to Pittsburgh. He gave up a hit and a walk, and struck out four.

It was a positive step for Bailey, who is trying to reclaim his status as a top prospect with the Reds after a subpar 2008 season.

Bailey went 0-6 with a 7.93 ERA in two stints in the majors. It was a major disappointment after he went 4-2 with a 5.76 ERA during a 2007 callup.

Bonds case delayed: The perjury trial of Barry Bonds has been delayed at least through July and likely beyond, as an appeal filed by prosecutors over key evidence for the trial winds through the legal system.

Federal court officials Monday set a schedule for prosecutors and Bonds’ lawyers to submit legal written arguments to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals debating the admissibility of three positive drug tests, so-called doping calendars and other evidence allegedly linking Bonds to steroids use.

Rays 8, Cardinals 5: Adam Wainwright allowed three runs – two earned – on five hits and a walk in two innings of the Cardinals’ loss to Tampa Bay.

Things went much better for Rays starter Wade Davis, who now has had two impressive outings as he attempts to earn a spot in manager Joe Maddon’s rotation.

Davis allowed one hit and no runs in 3 2/3 innings. He pitched a two perfect innings against the Yankees in his first spring outing.

Diamondbacks 9, Cubs 1: Carlos Zambrano struck out three in two hitless innings in the Cubs’ loss to Arizona.

Diamondbacks right-hander starter Dan Haren matched Zambrano with two hitless innings, with a walk and two strikeouts.

Diamondbacks catcher Chris Snyder capped a five-run fourth inning with a three-run home run off reliever Mitch Atkins. Diamondbacks shortstop Josh Wilson had three of the team’s 12 hits and two RBI.