Red Sox Injury Update

The list of the walking wounded at Fenway Park is longer than the list of Tiger Woods’ mistresses and the good news is that some of those MASH unit members are close to returning to baseball activities.

Courtesy of Nick Cafardo at the Boston Globe, he provided an update on how some key pieces to the Red Sox success are rehabbing and when we may expect to see them back in action.  The way things are going, it can’t happen soon enough.

Kevin Youkilis – this is the most controversial player currently on the shelf.  Youk has graduated from a walking rehab assignment to resuming baseball activities soon and according to Valentine will start playing catch by the weekend.  Recent reports from GM Ben Cherington have Youk returning to third base upon his return putting the debate as to what to do with Will Middlebrooks into high gear.  For now we can continue to discuss the options surrounding Youk and Middlebrooks as it’ll be the youngster at the hot corner for likely another week or so.

Carl Crawford – Cafardo states that Crawford is two weeks away from throwing after recovering from elbow surgery.  His timeline is likely end of June, early July when you factor in that Bobby V said Crawford would need at-bats before being major league ready.  A healthy Crawford for the second half of the season could be valuable if this team can turn it around and start competing.

Jacoby Ellsbury – the all-star center fielder is “picking up activity” and although it’s still a light rehab assignment at this point, it is promising that his shoulder is mobile at this point and is able to slowly work it back into shape.  A timetable still hasn’t been made for his return with a July date a real possibility.

Daisuke Matsuzaka – his next start is slated for Saturday and with just under two-weeks remaining on his rehab stint, he could get an additional two starts in before being recalled; this putting the timeline around the end of May. Of course the Sox could call him up sooner if he can prove he’s ready and could potentially take the spot of Clay Buchholz for a few starts.

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