Random Thoughts

I hope everyone enjoyed their weekends.  It was hot here in Iowa, 90’s for the past three days.  It’s storming now, but this weekend was nice enough to spend the majority of it outside.  I swam both Saturday and Sunday (and have a nice pinkish-brown tan to show for it), played some tennis, watched the Bruins lose Saturday, and celebrated a friend’s birthday yesterday.  I also got 4 hours of sleep last night due to various reasons.  Because of that, I thought I’d do a “Random Thoughts” post today.

• It’s a good thing the Red Sox have an off-day today.  They need to regroup and rest up.  The starting pitching was decent this past series to the Tigers, but you could tell the bullpen has been taxed lately.  Having a full-day’s rest for everyone is a good thing.

• It’s strange that I feel more comfortable with Lackey on the mound than with Lester.  Lackey has a 3.03 ERA for the season and seems to be getting better with each start, while Lester has a 4.57 ERA and seems to be getting worse each start.

• It would appear that Morales (pain in his left pectoral muscle) is heading for the disabled list.  Victorino (lower back injury) may be joining him.  This team needs to get healthy (again, the off-day today should help).  With Buchholz on the disabled list and Webster as his replacement, this team isn’t the same team who dominated over a month ago.

• The Red Sox are still in first place in the division and 2.0 games up of the Orioles.  However, the last place Jays are only 5.0 games out, and the Sox have a 4 game series with the Jays this weekend.

• I don’t usually vote for the All-Star Game; I haven’t voted for years.  The voting’s all done by popularity, not by who actually deserves to be on the team.  With that said, I may have to vote just to write-in Daniel Nava (he’s not listed as one of the Red Sox’s outfielders, as the roster is set before the teams really get into their seasons).  Nava’s played 69 games and is hitting .274 with 10 HRs, 45 RBIs, and 11 doubles.  Out of all the outfields on the Red Sox, Nava is the one I feel deserves to go to the All-Star Game.

• Though a lot hasn’t been said in the media thus far, I think Jose Iglesias has a chance of winning Rookie of the Year, if his numbers don’t drop off dramatically.  He’s played in 33 games, is hitting .426, and has 1 HR, 2 Triples, and 8 Doubles.  His defense is one of the best in the game, and he’s shown versatility by playing shortstop, third base, and second base.

• Uehara was named the closer for the Red Sox by Farrell on Friday.  Uehara has become my favorite reliever to watch this season because he’s so dynamic!  If you haven’t seen the video of #highfivecity Uehara slapping Victorino when he wasn’t ready for a high five from a couple weeks ago, you need to check out this gif.  And yes, I will be using the hashtag for Uehara, thanks to Pete Abraham’s tweet last week.

Well, that’s about it from me today.  Just a heads up, look for a pretty big announcement coming from me in the next couple weeks that will impact this blog. 

Injuries Mounting Up For Red Sox

For the past two seasons, the Red Sox were plagued by injuries.  Dustin Pedroia, John Lackey, Clay Buchholz, David Ortiz, Will Middlebrooks, Jacoby Ellsbury, and numerous other players have spent considerable time on the disabled list the past two seasons.  This season was supposed to be different.  This season started off different.  And now, this season is starting to resemble the past seasons.

The season started with David Ortiz and Stephen Drew on the disabled list.  Ortiz was recovering from heel issues that sprouted up after he had recovered from the Achilles injury from last season; he has been remarkable since then though. Stephen Drew also started the season on the disabled list, having suffered a concussion in Spring Training.  He has also started to come around and been a force on this team, especially Monday night when he hit a game-tying home run and a game-winning double in extra innings.

The Sox were winning without Ortiz or Drew; we know that.  When the two of them came back to the team, I know I felt like this team had a fighting chance.  Keep everyone healthy.  Keep the starters on the right track.  Keep the bullpen fresh.  It was going to line-up right, this season.

Not looking so bright now.

Joel Hanrahan, who just came off the disabled list last week from a hamstring injury, ended up back on the DL; an MRI revealed inflammation in his forearm.  Andrew Bailey is having a bicep issue and was also placed on the disabled list.  The Red Sox called up Allen Webster to make the start tonight, sent Doubront to the bullpen, and Tazawa is now the closer.  

So, the Red Sox’s abundance of closers has been reduced to Tazawa, who Farrell claims is perfectly capable of handling the closer role.  This may be, and it may be the best for the team as Doubront has shown his velocity is down so far this season.  Webster, who pitched 6.0 innings and struck out 5 against the Royals in April, may be the best option for a starter the Red Sox have right now.  

Then, last night happened.

As I stated in the last post, I am not able to watch the games when the Red Sox play the White Sox, Cubs, Cardinals, Brewers, Royals, or Twins.  It doesn’t make any sense, since I live in IOWA, not Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Minnesota, or Wisconsin.  Seriously, the closest Major League team is 3 hours away.

Anyway, I’m getting my information purely from tweets and sports writings today.  Evidently, Middlebrooks and Ross collided in foul territory.  Middlebrooks hurt his right side of his body, and Ross hurt his knee and/or thigh.  This was in the fifth inning.  Ross left the game in the fifth inning when his knee swelled up so bad it prevented him from squatting, and Middlebrooks left the game in the seventh inning.

The hope is Middlebrooks didn’t hurt his ribs.  As Red Sox fans, we know how long it can take to fully recover from rib injuries (see Jacoby Ellsbury 2010 and 2012). Middlebrooks is scheduled for a CT Scan, and we should know more later today.  The Sox’s depth at third base is scarce, and Ciriaco committed 2 errors in an inning last night after being put in for Middlebrooks.

Ross, according to him, should be okay after some rest.  He thinks he just jammed the top of his knee.  The Red Sox are hoping both player are day-to-day, but they really won’t know anything until later today.

I’m really hoping this round of bad luck (and bad playing) is short-lived.  This is a talented Red Sox team, and it would be a shame to see them slide backwards due to injuries.  Right now, it’s just a waiting game.  Hopefully, the wait pays off.

Injury Updates

I thought since the All-Star Break is the “official” halfway point of the MLB season, I would do an injury update. The Red Sox have had the most players of any team on the disabled list, which is probably why I’ve done way more injury reports that I had wanted to do this season. However, things are starting to look up for these injured players… the team, I’m not so sure.

Andrew Bailey (right thumb)- Played catch from 150 feet on July 1st, possibly returning late July or early August.

Clay Buchholz (esophagitis)- Threw 43 pitches in 2 1/3 innings during Triple-A rehab start July 9th, possibly returning July 14th.

Chris Carpenter (bone spur in right elbow)- Pitched 1 inning in GCL games on July 2nd and 5th, possibly returning in July.

Carl Crawford (partially torn UCL in left elbow, left groin strain)- Tweaked groin in July 5th rehab game, may resume rehab stint July 11th, possibly returning late July.

Jacoby Ellsbury (subluxed right shoulder)- Went 1-for-4 in Triple-A rehab game on July 8th, possibly returning mid-July.

Adrian Gonzalez (undisclosed illness)- Exited game prior to 3rd inning July 8th, more than likely returning July 13th.

Rich Hill (left elbow strain)- Transferred to 60-day DL on July 7th, possibly returning in August.

John Lackey (recovering from November 11 Tommy John surgery)- expected to pitch prior to the end of the calendar year.

Daisuke Matsuzaka (right upper trapezius strain)- placed on 15-day DL July 3rd, return date to be determined.

Will Middlebrooks (sore left hamstring)- ran on July 8th, still listed as day-to-day.

Dustin Pedroia (strained right thumb)- placed on 15-day DL on July 6th, retrospective to July 4th.

* Just a side note, but it concerns the Disabled List. I watched the first-round of the Home Run Derby last night; and by watch, I mean watch without volume because of the commentating. Matt Kemp is currently on the disabled list, yet he participated in the Home Run Derby. That doesn’t seem right. If the Kansas City fans wanted to boo someone, that’s who they needed to boo, not Robinson Cano.

Injury Updates

As I stated in yesterday’s post, Carl Crawford was taking batting practice before the Cubs-Red Sox game Sunday night, and he looked good. When Crawford, Bailey, and Ellsbury all went on the disabled list, it seemed like the term “out til All-Star Break” was being thrown around… a lot. Since my late injury update post, players have come and gone off the disabled list. So, here’s an update on where the injured stand:

Cody Ross (Broken foot): Activated for Tuesday’s game against the Marlins; hit a home run in his first game back from the DL.

Andrew Bailey (Right thumb): Began throwing from 90 feet week of May 27th and threw a bullpen session today and “felt great”; possible late July or early August return.

Josh Beckett (Right shoulder inflammation): MRI results on June 19th showed no structural damage; possible late June return.

Chris Carpenter (Bone spur in right elbow): Began throwing from 120 feet week of May 27th; possible June return.

Aaron Cook (Left knee laceration): Threw four innings in Triple-A rehab game June 18th; possible late June return.

Carl Crawford (Partially torn UCL in left elbow): Traveled to Florida to continue rehab June 20th and is slated to be DH in a game on Saturday; possible July return.

Jacoby Ellsbury (Subluxed right shoulder): Took batting practice on the field June 19th; possible early July return.

Rich Hill (Strained flexor muscle): Told he would not need to undergo surgery; possible mid-July return.

Bobby Jenks (Recovering from two back surgeries): Not sure if we’ll see him again in a Red Sox uniform, as there are reports of a settlement being arranged between him and Red Sox.

John Lackey (Tommy John surgery): Will not see again until 2013.

Dustin Pedroia (Right thumb): Was not in starting line-up yesterday, but is expected to be back at 2nd base today.

Scott Podsednik (Left groin strain): Placed on DL June 19th retroactive June 18th; possible early July return.

Jason Repko (Left shoulder displacement, knee): Played DH in a Triple-A game June 20th; possible late June return.

Ryan Sweeney (Fracture in left big toe): Placed on DL June 17th; possible return date to be determined.

Injury Updates

There were a few developments with some of the Red Sox’s injured players, so I thought I would post what these are:

Dustin Pedroia- Pedroia played in the game yesterday, June 5th. He went 0-3 with a walk and a sac fly.

Darnell McDonald- McDonald was activated yesterday, June 5th. He did not play in the Red Sox’s 8-6 loss to the Orioles.

Daisuke Matsuzaka- Matsuzaka threw 40 pitches for 1 1/3 innings of work for Triple- A Pawtucket yesterday, June 5th. He allowed one run on three hits, two walks, and two strikeouts. The thought is Matsuzaka will take Bard’s spot in the rotation for now.

Andrew Bailey- Bailey is set to start throwing from 120 feet either today or tomorrow.

Carl Crawford- Crawford started taking batting practice on the field.

Jacoby Ellsbury- Ellsbury has started playing catch from 90 feet and taking swings at a ball on a tee.

Ryan Kalish- Kalish was sent to Triple-A, where he went 2 for 2 with a home run, three walks, three RBIs, and a stolen base.

Cody Ross- Ross began baseball activities, playing catch and taking some swings. He is still not allowed to run.

It's Feeling a Little Like 2010

The Red Sox have a lot of players currently on the disabled list:

Carl Crawford (OF): 60-day DL, expected back possibly July (Ulnar collateral ligament sprain in left elbow)
Jacoby Ellsbury (OF): 60-day DL, expected back possibly early July (right shoulder)
Andrew Bailey (P): 60-day DL, expected back late July/early August (right thumb)
Daisuke Matsuzaka (P): 60-day DL, expected back late June (Tommy John surgery)
Aaron Cook (P): 15-day DL, expected back possibly June (left knee laceration)
Chris Carpenter (P): 60-day DL, expected back possibly June (bone spur in right elbow)
Ryan Kalish (OF): 60-day DL, expected back possibly June (left shoulder surgery)
Bobby Jenks (remember him?)(P): 60-day DL, expected back possibly after All-Star Break (recovering from back surgery)
John Lackey (wish we could forget him) (P):out for season (Tommy John surgery)
Darnell McDonald (OF): 15-day DL, expected back possibly today (right oblique strain)
Cody Ross (OF): 15-day DL, expected back possibly June (small left foot fracture)
Jason Repko (OF): 15-day DL, expected date unknown (left shoulder separation, knee)

Plus Dustin Pedroia (thumb injury) and Jarrod Saltalamacchia (illness) are day-to-day. Those are just the players on the 40-man roster!

Despite that, they are still finding ways to win ballgames. Last night’s game featured the following line-up:

Daniel Nava- LF
Mike Aviles- SS
Adrian Gonzalez- RF
David Ortiz- DH
Kevin Youkilis- 1B
Will Middlebrooks- 3B
Marlon Byrd- CF
Kelly Shoppach- C
Nick Punto- 2B

Ideally, the line-up would look more like this (by position only, not batting order):

Carl Crawford- LF
Mike Aviles- SS
Cody Ross/ Ryan Sweeney- RF
David Ortiz- DH
Adrian Gonzalez- 1B
Kevin Youkilis- 3B
Jacoby Ellsbury-CF
Jarrod Saltalamacchia- C
Dustin Pedroia- 2B

With all the injuries this season, it’s reminding me a lot of 2010. In 2010, the Red Sox had the following players on the disabled list, followed by the amount of time they missed:

Daisuke Matsuzaka (P): 4/4-5/1 (neck strain), 6/8- 6/24 (right forearm strain)
Boof Bonser (P): 4/4-6/7 (right groin strain)
Jed Lowrie (SS): 4/4-7/21 (mononucleosis)
Junichi Tazawa (P): 4/4-end of season (right elbow ligament sprain- Tommy John surgery)
Jacoby Ellsbury (OF): 4/12- 5/22 (left chest contusion), 5/25- 6/4 (left chest contusion), 8/14-end of season (rib injury)
Mike Cameron (OF): 4/20-5/24 (groin sports hernia), 7/31-end of season (abdominal muscle strain)
Josh Beckett (P): 5/19-7/23 (back injury)
Manny Delcarmen (P): 6/8-6/24 (right forearm strain)
Jeremy Hermida (OF): 6/10-7/22 (ribs fracture)
Mike Lowell (3B): 6/23-8/3 (right hip strain)
Dustin Pedroia (2B): 6/26-8/17 (left foot broken), 8/19-end of season (left foot broken)
Clay Buchholz (P): 6/27-7/21 (left hamstring strain)
Victor Martinez (C): 6/28-7/26 (left thumb bone fracture)
Jason Varitek (C): 7/2-9/6 (left foot broken)
Kevin Youkilis (1B): 8/3-end of season (right thumb adductor muscle tear)
Hideki Okajima (P): 8/6-8/28 (right hamstring strain)
Kevin Cash (C): 8/9-8/24 (left hamstring strain)
Jarrod Saltalamacchia (C): 8/16-9/1 (right leg infection)
Eric Patterson (OF): 8/17-9/1 (neck strain)

Just wanted to point out the similarities between 2010 and 2012 so far. In 2010, the Red Sox had a 29-23 record as of May 30th. Today, the Red Sox have a 26-24 record. The 2010 Sox finished the season at 89-73 and played competitively throughout the season.
In my opinion, Terry Francona deserved the AL Manager of the Year Award that year because of his players performing despite the injuries.

I’m hoping the recent rash of injuries for the Red Sox is short-lived, our players get healthy and return to playing great baseball. With that said, I’m also enjoying watching players like Daniel Nava and Will Middlebrooks. Let’s hope for a Tiger’s sweep tonight!