Red Sox: David Price throws bullpen session, still no timetable for return
By Sean Penney
David Price took a promising step in his recovery by throwing a successful bullpen session, but his return to the Boston Red Sox rotation remains unclear.
One step at a time. That’s the mentality any player needs to take on the road to recovery. For David Price, the path has been murky since opening the season on the disabled list, but the star left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox made an important step this week that sheds some light on his progress.
Price threw a 20-pitch bullpen session at Comerica Park on Monday, marking the first time he’s thrown off a mound since being shut down with elbow soreness in late February.
The Boston Herald’s Chad Jennings reports that Price walked away from the session feeling optimistic, although the real test will come when the lefty confirms how his arm feels tomorrow.
"“It feels really good right now,” Price told the Herald. “So, everything that’s happened the past couple weeks has all been good for my confidence and just the mental aspect of it, so it all feels good.”"
As long as there isn’t any irregular soreness that gives the training staff pause, Price will throw another bullpen session on Wednesday.
"“The biggest thing is that the intensity increases in throwing,” said manager John Farrell. “The volume as it’s increased, he’s responded well physically to it. That’s the hopeful goal of tomorrow, coming in, feeling as consistent as he’s been. Provided he does, we would be looking at a bullpen again on Wednesday.”"
Making it through a few bullpen sessions unscathed represents solid progress, although he’s still a long way from being able to pitch in a game for the Red Sox. Price will need a few bullpen sessions before moving on to simulated games, then eventually minor league rehab appearances.
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It will take time for Price to be able to build up his arm strength to the point where he can pitch in a major league game without tiring after a few innings, thereby burning the bullpen. We need to be patient as he takes the steps necessary to get back to the pitcher we know he’s capable of being.
This is essentially the start of spring training for Price, putting his return at least a month away. There’s no need for the Red Sox to get ahead of themselves by putting pressure on Price with an arbitrary date, so we’re left to make an educated guess based on how long pitchers normally take to ramp up in camp.
Red Sox pitchers had their first official workout on February 14, giving them about six weeks in camp to prepare for the upcoming season. Based on where Price is at in his recovery, a return in mid-to-late May seems reasonable, barring any setbacks.
Adding Price to a rotation that already includes reigning Cy Young Rick Porcello and five-time All-Star Chris Sale would give the Red Sox arguably the most formidable rotation in baseball. That appealing projection only works if Price is healthy and pitching at the level of the ace the Red Sox felt was worthy of a $217 million deal.
There’s reason for optimism that we’ll see that version of Price at some point this season. Today was a promising step in the right direction, we just need to wait patiently for the next sign, then the next. Eventually it will lead to seeing Price pitching in a game for the Red Sox.