This week is turning out to be worse than originally expected for the Sox with Mike Cameron, Kevin Youkilis and now Hideki Okajima all heading to the DL. The latest addition comes this afternoon after a poor outing for the Japanese lefty on Thursday night, a game in which he threw just 0.1 innings and allowed an earned run and on 2 hits with a walk. Okajima has had a disappointing year, so the hamstring injury is just adding insult to injury (no pun intended). Recently converted starter Felix Doubront will take Okajima’s spot in the bullpen for tonight’s game against the New York Yankees in New York. (more after the jump)
In 40 games this year, Okajima has a career high 5.85 era with a 4-3 record and 4 blown saves in 4 chances. Oki has allowed a .338 opponent batting average to lefties this year and a horrible .360 mark against righties, making him nearly impossible to match-up with anyone late in games and has certainly lost the confidence of his manager and team. His replacement, Felix Doubront, started 3 games for the Sox and had a 1-2 record with a 4.11 era in those appearances. Doubront has been focusing on converting into a reliever in the minor leagues for the past few weeks, so now he will be given the opportunity to learn and continue the conversion at the highest level.
Okajima’s injury isn’t devastating for the Sox, because it frees up a roster spot for Doubront, who will likely be more reliable down the stretch. The Sox moved Ramon Ramirez at the deadline for that very reason and now have gained one more. The Sox plan has always been to use Doubront and Michael Bowden as potential late-inning relievers, I’m just not sure the plan was to call-up Doubront up this early with Michael Bowden waiting in the wings. And the nightmare season continues…
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