Red Sox: David Price and his road to recovery or surgery

The Boston Red Sox and David Price may have temporarily ducked a pitching bullet, but the situation could rapidly deteriorate.

Red Sox lefty David Price had a brush with death, and by that, I place it in the context of a pitching death. Pitching changed dramatically with Dr. Frank Jobe and his reconstructive surgery techniques primarily designed to restore the arms of pitchers. Prior to that it was just “gut it out” or retire. Many a pitcher’s careers ended abruptly with a “dead arm.”

Tommy John surgery is the designation for the procedure since the most notable recipient was left-handed pitcher Tommy John. John had his surgery at 31-years-old and upon his return did something he had never done prior to the operation – win 20 games. John won 20+ games three times until he finally packed it in with 288 career wins in 26 years of MLB service.

Price will now live with a pitching sword of Damocles hanging over his left arm. Will this just be the ultimate precursor to finally having surgery? Will Boston fans now face the same continual questioning that New York Yankee fans endure with the fragile Masahiro Tanaka? Price will have to live with and adjust to every little ache, pain, nuance and general soreness that will now firmly be planted in his mindset.

When you pitch a lot of innings there is wear and tear since the motion of tossing a baseball is not conducive to arm stability unless you throw softball style. Price has a lot of innings and is also at the same age as John when John had his surgery. John had five seasons of 200+ innings and Price has had six 200+ inning seasons and twice has led the American League in that department. Last season Price led the league in both innings pitched and batters faced.

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Price has had similar issues in the past with his elbow and forearm but has always recovered quickly. Usually, the circumstances surrounding these incursions are in spring training and have been classified as normal – as if anything with a pitcher’s arm is normal. This one certainly got the attention it deserved.

Is Price being overly sensitive? Pitchers often have different views of just how to respond to injuries, especially those of the arm. Former Red Sox reliever Scott Williamson was crucified by Curt Schilling over his arm, but later it was discovered that Williamson’s arm looked as it had lost a battle with a meat shredder. Just being able to toss a ball was an incredible accomplishment.

Other pitchers are notorious as are certain players for their low tolerance of injury and they’re pulling themselves out of the lineup after a hiccup. J.D. Drew was often called “Day to day Drew” for a reason. And all it does is come down to the individual. My 1-10 on the pain scale may be entirely different from yours.

Price is smart since he is approaching with great caution. I am of the school where I would firmly be a pitching arm hypochondriac. Too much to risk. In the case of Price, it is protecting both himself and his employer. Price will get $217 Million if he can pitch or can’t pitch and he certainly realizes his value in the concept of overall team performance for 2017.

Price will be the story line of spring training and beyond. After rest will come the throwing sessions that will be observed in great detail by all. Price will in all probability have an extended spring training. Maybe the Red Sox will choose to keep Price sequestered in Florida until the weather warms up north? Knowing New England that could mean August.

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Price will get his innings in simulated games, against low rung minor league players, and in the minor league food chain until he is deemed ready for the big boys. The timetable will be one that certainly minimizes risk since you do not take that level of investment and foolishly place it in harm’s way.

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