The Boston Red Sox have placed right-handed pitcher Steven Wright on the disabled list to begin the season following a PRP injection in his knee.
Steven Wright‘s season debut was already going to be delayed. Now it appears he’ll have to wait a bit longer to contribute to the Boston Red Sox.
The team announced on Monday that Wright has been placed on the 10-day disabled list. The knuckleball pitcher is recovering from a cartilage restoration procedure performed on his left knee on May 8, 2017.
Prior to tonight’s game against the Chicago Cubs, the #RedSox placed RHP Steven Wright on the 10-day disabled list. Wright is recovering from a cartilage restoration procedure performed on his left knee on May 8, 2017.
— Red Sox (@RedSox) March 26, 2018
Wright underwent a PRP injection on his surgically repaired knee, according to Masslive’s Christopher Smith. While this procedure wasn’t necessarily expected, manager Alex Cora doesn’t consider it a step back.
"“This is part of the process,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “They felt they needed to do it to make sure he’s OK. But it’s not a setback. So we’ll see how quick he’s ready. Obviously whatever happens, happens.”"
It’s unclear how much longer Wright will be sidelined following the procedure. Once he’s deemed ready to return he’ll still need to serve the 15 game suspension he received for violating MLB’s domestic violence policy. That pushes Wright’s potential return to the active roster to the last week of April in a best-case scenario.
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The Red Sox also placed Drew Pomeranz and Eduardo Rodriguez on the 10 day disabled list. Those moves were expected and both should be ready sometime in April. Combined with the news on Wright, Boston will be missing three of the top six starters on their depth chart for at least the first two turns through the rotation.
The depth of the Red Sox pitching staff will be tested early on. Brian Johnson and Hector Velazquez are the likely options to fill in until Boston gets some of these pitchers back from the DL.
Wright made only five starts last season, going 1-3 with an 8.25 ERA over 24 innings.
Wright will be allowed to work out at the JetBlue Park complex while serving his suspension. He can pitch for one of the organization’s minor league affiliate during the final six games before the suspension ends.
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Those plans to work out and start a rehab assignment are on hold until Wright’s knee is deemed ready. Despite the injuries piling up in the rotation, the Red Sox do not want to rush Wright back and risk a more significant setback.