Brandon Moss

[VA Sox Fan]

Moss undergoes emergency appendectomy

 

By Nick Cafardo

 

Globe Staff / May 4, 2008

 

The Red Sox were certainly the envy of baseball with two players many teams would love to have right now: Bartolo Colon, who is just about recovered from an oblique injury and is scheduled to pitch in a spring game tomorrow in Sarasota, Fla., and outfielder Brandon Moss, who has piqued the curiosity of several teams.

 

more stories like thisMoss, however, will be out of that mix for the foreseeable future.

 

Last night during the Sox' 12-4 victory over Tampa Bay, the 24-year-old outfielder underwent an emergency appendectomy at Massachusetts General Hospital.

 

Late last night, Sox spokesman John Blake said Moss was doing well after surgery.

 

Manager Terry Francona did not know how long it would take before Moss would be able to return to action. Many players have taken 3-5 weeks to recover from similar procedures.

 

"[Moss] was feeling ill and the medical team felt that there was a possibility [of an issue with his appendix] rather than just an abdominal flu," said Francona in his postgame news conference. "We took him over there [to Mass. General] right before the game, which was a good idea. We were trying to be safe rather than sorry.

 

"That makes [Friday night] even more unbelievable. He said he didn't feel good, swung the bat good [2 for 4 with a home run], threw the ball well, and I'm sure he was feeling it."

 

The Sox will likely make a roster move today.

 

"We may elect to try and get through [today] and see how we're situated," said Francona. "We don't want to rush to make a move and then have somebody leave the game, or someone be sore and have to make another move."

 

The Moss injury certainly puts the kibosh on any thought of moving Coco Crisp, who has had leg injuries since spring training.

 

Moss had made quite an impression.

 

"I've been trying to get Moss for three years," said one assistant general manager in the American League West. "I think he's a guy who is going to be a very good major league player.

 

"He can do a lot of things. Strong lefthanded bat. Good head for the game, but the Red Sox aren't inclined to deal him. We've tried, believe me."

 

When told of the interest around baseball in him, Moss said before the game, "I'm very happy right here. I love being a Boston Red Sox, I really do. This is the greatest atmosphere to play baseball in. I love everything about it.

 

"I'm a young player and I'm going to be patient. I haven't proven anything to anyone yet."

 

With J.D. Drew returning to the Sox' lineup last night, seemingly almost fully recovered from a left quadriceps strain, and Sean Casey (hip) likely to come off the disabled list next Sunday, it appeared Moss's days in the majors were likely dwindling to a precious few anyway

[Jayhawk Bill]

Best wishes to Brandon Moss, who is quickly becoming Mrs. JHB's favorite player.

[VA Sox Fan]

Moss out of hospital

 

Posted by Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff May 4, 2008 10:46 AM

 

Outfielder Brendan Moss is out of the hospital after having his appendix removed, according to Sox manager Terry Francona. The manager said Moss will likely go home for about 10 days and then begin his comeback in Fort Myers. No timetable has yet been given for his return.

 

Moss was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital right before last night's game. He had the surgery last night.

 

Francona said the team was holding back on a roster move until after today's game. He said his bullpen was in good shape. The Sox were waiting to assess what their biggest need would be going forward. Alex Cora can come off the DL, but he's slated to spend three games starting Wednesday for Pawtucket. Sean Casey is eligible to come off the DL next Sunday.

[Jayhawk Bill]

Dear Mr. Theo Epstein:

 

Bring up Craig Hansen, please.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jayhawk Bill

[CrespoBlows]

Dear Mr. Theo Epstein:

 

Bring up Craig Hansen, please.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jayhawk Bill

 

Your wish has been granted.

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/

[Jayhawk Bill]

Your wish has been granted.

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/

 

....or Theo knows where to turn for advice.

[RockMySox46]

Why Hansen? hes a great pitcher and all, but dont we need a outfielder?

[Jayhawk Bill]

Why Hansen? hes a great pitcher and all' date=' but dont we need a outfielder?[/quote']

 

First, welcome to TalkSox! Thanks for questioning my request!

 

Boston has four outfielders: Manny, Jacoby, Coco and JD. Lugo is the emergency outfielder. There are only three or four bench players: Cash is a must, so there are only two or three other slots. Coco or Jacoby is one of those slots. Another is the utility infielder, today Jed Lowrie. That other slot can be a pitcher or another position player.

 

Right now I want the pitcher, Hansen, with several consecutive games ahead of us. I expect that Hansen will have a few innings put onto his arm and that he'll be sent down in favor of Sean Casey later this week, giving Boston another bat but saving innings on our overworked bullpen until then.

[YAZMAN]

Right now I want the pitcher' date=' Hansen, with several consecutive games ahead of us. I expect that Hansen will have a few innings put onto his arm and that he'll be sent down in favor of Sean Casey later this week, giving Boston another bat but saving innings on our overworked bullpen until then.[/quote']

 

I want to see Hansen now as well. And I think MDC is leaving the door cracked open for a possible change depending on the next few games.

[Jayhawk Bill]

I want to see Hansen now as well. And I think MDC is leaving the door cracked open for a possible change depending on the next few games.

 

Are you suggesting that Boston release MDC outright?

[CrespoBlows]

Are you suggesting that Boston release MDC outright?

 

I think he means optioning him down, but he's all out of them.

 

I'd rather see him pitching in the 6th for now, until he can get some decent outings stringed together.

[SCM33]

I think he means optioning him down, but he's all out of them.

 

I'd rather see him pitching in the 6th for now, until he can get some decent outings stringed together.

 

Id rather see him pitching in the 6th, during a game thats already decided to build confidence. For this year at least, he will remain with us all year, unless he becomes part of a package for a proven veteran RH relief man since he prob. wont get a deal done by himself.

[YAZMAN]

Are you suggesting that Boston release MDC outright?

 

No. I'm just saying that he doesn't seem as effective as he should be lately.

[Jayhawk Bill]

I think he means optioning him down' date=' but he's all out of them.[/quote']

 

Exactly...

 

http://www.soxprospects.com/players/delcarmen-manny.htm

 

...which is why I mean releasing him outright. YAZMAN is suggesting that MDC could be moved--he can't, except by trading him when his value is lowest or by releasing him.

 

Heck, I'd just keep using MDC.

 

***

 

(We now return you to your Brandon Moss thread, already in progress.)

 

[/tangent]

[YAZMAN]

He's certainly left the door open for Hansen or someone else to eat the innings he's been getting. He wasn't seen as the last pitcher on the Sox depth chart yet, was he?

 

(NOW we now return you to your Brandon Moss thread, already in progress.)

[Jayhawk Bill]

He's certainly left the door open for Hansen or someone else to eat the innings he's been getting. He wasn't seen as the last pitcher on the Sox depth chart yet' date=' was he? [/quote']

 

Actually, he's below Timlin and Aardsma...he's pitched 1.7 innings since April 22nd. Other Red Sox middle relief pitchers in that time:

 

Lopez 4.0 IP

Aardsma 4.0 IP

Tavarez 2.7 IP

Corey 2.7 IP

Timlin 2.3 IP

Hansen 1.7 IP

Delcarmen 1.7 IP

 

But c'mon, I was discussing roster moves when you interjected the MDC comment...

[The Dustball]

From Projo Soxblog:

Outfielder Brandon Moss, who underwent an emergency appendectomy a few weeks ago, will get some at-bats in extended spring training Monday and Tuesday, then join the Pawsox in mid-week.

``He's ready to go,'' said Francona, who added that veteran outfielder Bobby Kielty (broken hand) remains at home in California.

 

I wonder how a healthy Moss will affect the trade situation with Coco Crisp.