When the Red Sox traded for veteran outfielder Scott Podsednik from the Phillies on Friday it raised a few questions. The first and most obvious was, is another Red Sox outfielder injured? No need to ask the other questions as it appears we have our answer. Yes.
The club announced on Sunday that Darnell McDonald is headed to the 15-day DL with what is being described as a strained oblique muscle. The Boston Herald reports that it is unknown how McDonald sustained the injury but a team source said that his symptoms had continued to regress over time.
Speculation is running high that McDonald may have stressed the muscle while appearing in relief pitching spot during a 17-inning marathon loss to the Baltimore Orioles last week. McDonald is not yet available for comment.
So acquiring Podsednik makes sense as the Sox are proving you can never have to many outfielders. The injury to McDonald makes him the fifth full-time Red Sox outfielder to land on the DL this year and it only adds to the MASH list that is growing daily inside Fenway Park.
Podsednik was sent to Triple-A Pawtucket and the Sox called up Mauro Gomez to fill the roster spot. One has to think that if Podsednik can continue to improve offensively that he will be called up sooner than later given the lack of depth now in the outfield.
Maybe the medical and training staff for the Red Sox should be investigated. Last season it was a rash of injuries to the starting pitching, this year it’s the outfield that is labelled the walking wounded. Interesting isn’t it?
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