Boston Red Sox spring training worry list of players to watch

And the next in the conga line of knee injuries is a 32-year-old right-handed knuckleballer, Steven Wright. The first issue facing Wright is a potential suspension to be meted out by baseball enforcement for a domestic dispute with his spouse. The question is not if, but for how long?

Wright was having an exceptional 2015 until he was put in harm’s way by manager John Farrell. Farrell confused Wright with Usain Bolt and placed him in the game as a pinch-runner. One shoulder injury later the season was slipping away for Wright.

In 2017 his knee gave out in April and that put the season for Wright quickly to bed. Is his knee healthy? Much of the Red Sox season may hinge on just that body hinge. Wright can be Tim Wakefield part deux with an ability to start and work any bullpen role. So, my concern will be just how his pitching mechanics respond to post-surgery training? Will Wright look comfortable tossing his mex of floaters, curves and mid-80s fastballs?