Youk Injured as Sox Lineup Continues to Crumble

Another day, another injury for the banged-up Boston Red Sox as they add another chapter to what has become an unbelievable saga through the 1st half of the 2010 season. Kevin Youkilis left Tuesday night’s game with an ankle injury after jogging off the field and developing a limp. When Youk came up to bat in the top of the 4th inning, he was clearly unable to continue and had to be pulled. Youngster Niuman Romero replaced Youk at 1st base and proved that not all young guys can just jump into major league action and produce.

I’ve been playing this game for so long and I have never seen anything like this before — ever. We go through injuries every year and things like that, but what I’m seeing right now is like a curse. I’m just talking trash, but, man, you know, it doesn’t even sound right. I mean, you have nine guys on the DL? Guys that are everyday, pretty much, players? When was the last time you heard something like that? Tell me. – David Ortiz after Tuesday’s game

For any fans who have watched many games this season, watching young guys hitting has for the most part been a positive experience. Guys like Darnell McDonald and Daniel Nava have stepped in at a moment’s notice and hit well in clutch situations, whether it be off the bench or late in the game. Unfortunately, Niuman Romero wasn’t as good on Tuesday. After filling in for Youk, the Rays walked David Ortiz twice and put Romero in spots to make something happen. It was the correct decision for Joe Maddon, as Romero went 0-4.

We may finally start to see the effects of the major injuries across this roster. I’m surprised it took this long, but now the Sox offense is struggling to hit well or in clutch situations against top pitchers on the Rays staff. The Sox lack of bench depth and pop in their lineup is beginning to rear its ugly head just a week or so before the All-Star break. The good news for the Sox, is that they expect to get many players back shortly after the break, hopefully leading to an energized group ready to make a playoff push.

At one point on Tuesday night, Don Orsillo on NESN mentioned that just 5 of the 9 players on the field were on the opening day roster. Just halfway through the season, that is unheard of in the MLB. The Sox have lost high profile names and bats as well as 2 of their top starters in the rotation, but have maintained a high level of play, keeping them in the AL East and wildcard races. It is always hard to judge a team when only half of the normal starters are on the field, but if the Sox are hoping to make the playoffs, they need to win head-to-head match-ups within their division.

The Sox look to salvage the series with the Rays and regain some ground in the AL East Wednesday night at 7:10pm at the Trop. I think I speak for Sox management when I say bring on the All-Star break, we all need the rest.