In a week filled with injuries and roster moves, there is plenty to talk about surrounding the Red Sox organization. With the All-Star break just around the corner, there is a lot more optimism about some of the injured stars and their potential return within the next few weeks. This week was also filled with headlines including a sweep at the hands of the Rays and Youk’s near miss for the All-Star nod. With no further ado, here is Red Sox Notes for the week of July 9th.
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C Jason Varitek, RP Manny Delcarmen
To continue the long list of injuries for the Sox, both Jason Varitek and Manny Delcarmen were place on the 15-day DL July 2nd. Varitek broke his foot a few days after assuming the full-time catchers role when Victor Martinez went down with an injury and Manny Delcarmen has a right forearm injury in his after his disastrous 5-run outing against the Tampa Bay Rays. More information on their injuries and timetable for return is listed below.
C Kevin Cash
Thanks to the injuries of Varitek and Martinez, the Sox management was forced to make a move. They brought in former Sox catcher Kevin Cash by sending SS Angel Sanchez to the Astros on July 1st and activated Cash on July 2nd and added him to the major league roster. His stay will likely last as long as ‘Tek and V-Mart are on the shelf.
2B Niuman Romero
Niuman Romero’s call-up was not exactly what he had hoped for, because it lasted just a few days. Romero was called-up from Pawtucket on July 2nd, and got an opportunity to play when Kevin Youkilis left a game with an ankle issue against the Tampa Bay Rays. He had the unenviable task of playing an unfamiliar position at first base and having to hit 4th in the lineup, leading to a 0-4 situation, leaving 6 men on base. Romero was then designated for assignment on July 7th when the Sox brought-up actually first baseman Ryan Shealy.
RP Robert Manuel
Along with the plethora of moves on July 2nd, the Sox brought up RP Robert Manuel for bullpen support and added depth with Manny Delcarmen’s DL stint. Manuel will likely stick around as long as Delcarmen is injured or until Michael Bowden is ready to join the big-league squad.
SS Jed Lowrie
Some good news amongst the not so good surrounds SS Jed Lowrie. After coming down with mono in Spring Training, Lowrie has been resting and playing in extended Spring and was finally activated and placed on the Lowell Spinners roster. Lowrie could find his way back to the big-leagues soon if he maintains his health and proves he is ready to go.
SP Felix Doubront
Another bright spot amongst the dark cloud of injuries is SP Felix Doubront. On July 5th, Doubront was recalled for his 2nd stint in Boston, filling in for the injured Clay Buchholz. He has pitched will with the big club and will remain in Boston until after the All-Star break, in the event that Buchholz can’t make his next start.
1B Ryan Shealy
The Sox called-up 1B Ryan Shealy to provide back-up for Kevin Youkilis after he hurt his ankle on July 6th. The following day, July 7th, Ryan Shealy came to Boston with the intent of only seeing game action if Kevin Youkilis is still ailing and can’t play. His stint at the majors is likely to not last very long.
Injuries
SP Josh Beckett
The outlook for Josh Beckett has improved over the past week. On July 6th, Beckett threw a simulated game in Florida that resulted in 64 pitches and minimal discomfort. Beckett will be pitching in Pawtucket on Sunday and then will most likely have 1 or 2 more rehab outings before returning to Boston within a few weeks following the All-Star break.
SP Clay Buchholz
Despite earlier reports that Clay Buchholz may make his first scheduled start following the All-Star break, it appears he may miss 1 or 2 more in an effort to rest his ailing left hamstring. Felix Doubront will start in his place until he returns, which is hopefully just a few weeks away.
RP Manny Delcarmen
There is little news to report on Manny Delcarmen, besides that an MRI on July 3rd showed a strain in this right forearm. He will likely not be out too long, but there is no current timetable for rehab or his return.
CF Jacoby Ellsbury
This week provided more encouraging news about Jacoby Ellsbury than any other week since his cracked ribs were discovered. Ellsbury, who has been rehabbing in Arizona at the Performance Institute, will rejoin the team in Toronto and will be re-evaluated with the hope his is less than 2 weeks away from returning to the field.
RF Jeremy Hermida
Following in line with his fellow teammates, Jeremy Hermida is on the road to recovery from his rib injury and took batting practice on July 6th. It appears he is aiming for a late July or early August return, when hopefully the Sox outfield will finally resemble the opening day look.
3B Mike Lowell
There were reports recently that Mike Lowell could return from his hip injury as early as this weekend’s series with Toronto, but it appears that will not happen. Lowell is close to returning to the Sox, but the real question is what to do with him once he returns. To trade or not to trade?
SS Jed Lowrie
As mentioned above, Jed Lowrie is finally on the road to recovery after coming down with mononucleosis in Spring Training this year. Lowrie was assigned to the Lowell Spinners and is working his way back to game shape for an eventual return to the big leagues. It remains to be seen whether he will return before or after the September 1st call-up date.
C Victor Martinez
The good news for Victor Martinez was that his broken thumb did not require surgery. It appears Martinez will return shortly after the All-Star break, not too long after he is eligible to return. With the lack of catching depth due to injury in the Red sox system, Martinez’s return would be a huge help to the roster.
2B Dustin Pedroia
After breaking his left foot at the end of June, Dustin Pedroia was expected to miss 6+ weeks. His gritty nature allowed him to take ground balls on his knees a few days after the injury, but he is still 3-4 weeks away from rehabbing and returning to the Sox lineup. The Sox could really use his spark in the lineup when he returns.
SP Junichi Tazawa
There is no new news on Junichi Tazawa who is not expected to return until the Spring of 2011.
C Jason Varitek
One of the more recent injuries, captain Jason Varitek followed his teammate and catching partner Victor Martinez with a broken right foot just days after V-Mart was placed on the DL. Varitek will be out for at least 6 weeks and probably more given his older age and the difficulty of crouching behind the plate with a foot injury.
1B Kevin Youkilis
Just this week, the Red Sox averted disaster as Kevin Youkilis came off the field limping with an ankle injury against the Tampa Bay Rays. Youk didn’t even take a day off, but the Sox are watching him carefully to be sure the injury is completely healed. He is listed as day-to-day and will likely only miss a day here and there as a precaution.
News
Swisher Edges Youk for the Final AL All-Star Spot
After an intense battle, Nick Swisher beat out Kevin Youkilis for the final AL All-Star spot on Thursday in the closest race in the 9-year history of the program. Check out my article from Thursday on the process and results of the voting.
Sox Swept Away in Tampa
While the Sox were climbing up the AL East standings, they reached a road block in the Tampa Bay Rays. The Sox were swept in a 3-game set and now find themselves 4.5 games back in 3rd place in the division. Check out my post from this week reflecting on the disastrous series.
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