Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Your Daily Red Sox Medical Report

The weekend from hell in San Francisco left Dustin Pedroia on the DL, and today he will be joined by Victor Martinez, as the thumb fracture officially landed him there.

Fortunately, the injury isn't as serious as it sounds. He doesn't need surgery and should be back in two weeks. Jason Varitek will do most of the catching until Martinez returns. The Red Sox brought up Gustavo Molina from Pawtucket to back him up. (No, he's not one of those Molinas. He's from Venezuela, and the catching brothers are from Puerto Rico.)

The Red Sox have also activated Eric Patterson, who they acquired over the weekend from Oakland for a minor league pitcher, Fabian Williamson. He will platoon at second base with Bill Hall for the foreseeable future. He can alos play the outfield as well. Pedroia now figures not to need surgery,and will be out for about six weeks, and could return in time for the next series with the Yankees, which begins August 6th in New York.

Clay Buchholz has a hamstring strain, but figures to miss no significant time. His next start will be pushed back, probably early next week.

The Red Sox also said that Boof Bonser cleared waivers after being DFA'd, and is now a free agent.

By the way, whatever happened to Jed Lowrie? He seems to have fallen off the face of the earth and even with Pedroia going down, I haven't heard his name mentioned as a replacement for him. I now wonder if he figures anywhere in the Red Sox future plans.

Tonight, the Red Sox face the struggling and bickering Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway, with John Lackey facing James (Have I Ever Pitched In a Big Game?) Shields.

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