Injury/Rehab News

[Dutchy]

Figured we could use a thread for this stuff just to keep everyone updated.

 

Mark Kotsay is returning from the lineup after being day-to-day with a calf injury.

 

Jed Lowrie's rehab start got rained out last night. He's hoping to get in at least a couple at bats today at Lowell. His DL stint runs out this Friday, so the Red Sox may have to use an option to get him continued time in the minors.

 

Daisuke Matsuzaka is throwing on flat ground up to 60 feet in Fort Myers in his effort to strengthen his shoulder.

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2009/07/news_and_notes_5.html

[Dutchy]

Lowrie went 2-3, 2 doubles, 2 walks today in Lowell. He's now 5 for his last 8.

[a700hitter]

Lowrie went 2-3' date=' 2 doubles, 2 walks today in Lowell. He's now 5 for his last 8.[/quote']He is a really good hitter if he can stay healthy.

[Dutchy]

Jed Lowrie was activated and immediately optioned to Single-A Lowell yesterday, but Red Sox manager Terry Francona says the move was purely procedural.

 

“The best scenario was to option him yesterday so we could get him back in 10 days,” said Francona. “That’s when we think he should be ready to play.”

 

Francona said that a couple of rainouts in his rehab games and a “banged up” right knee set his rehab back. Lowrie was supposed to return at the end of this week, but is now slated to return against Toronto on the 18th.

 

Lowrie will not travel in the meantime but will play in Pawtucket.

 

“The idea is to keep him in this area until he’s ready,” said Francona.

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2009/07/pregame_sox_vs.html

[Dutchy]

He is a really good hitter if he can stay healthy.

 

He's about a gazillion times better than Green

[Spudboy]

There's been quite a bit of skepticism about Lowrie here at Talksox. I don't get it. I'm concerned only about his wrist and it's impact on his swing. I think he's an above average short stop defensively and when he was healthy showed a promising bat. He may not be all-world, but he is talented and a gamer.

I think he will be contributing when he gets back. Green seems to have earned a spot on the roster. I see Lugo as the odd man out. But what happens to him? Do the Sox eat his contract?

[YAZMAN]

I see Lugo as the odd man out. But what happens to him? Do the Sox eat his contract?

 

They're stuck with it one way or the other, so they might as well grab a bottle of ketchup and move him for whatever they can get. What's the last year on his contract worth?

[Dutchy]

There's been quite a bit of skepticism about Lowrie here at Talksox. I don't get it. I'm concerned only about his wrist and it's impact on his swing. I think he's an above average short stop defensively and when he was healthy showed a promising bat. He may not be all-world, but he is talented and a gamer.

I think he will be contributing when he gets back. Green seems to have earned a spot on the roster. I see Lugo as the odd man out. But what happens to him? Do the Sox eat his contract?

 

Lowrie's a hell of a shortstop. His UZR/150 last year was completely off the charts at 24.6. He's plenty solid defensively. And before he fractured his wrist last year, he hit .287/.381/.444 in the minors and .323/.371/.419 with the Red Sox. And he was an RBI machine.

[Dutchy]

"Mike Lowell's progress has improved exponentially over the last two days, according to Red Sox manager Terry Francona. So much so that Lowell will try to hit off live pitching in batting practice today.

 

"Yesterday was the most encouraging day he's had in a long time," Francona said before tonight's game vs. the Royals.

 

Lowell, who is on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 28, hasn't played since June 27 because of a strain to his hobbled right hip.

 

So what's the difference between yesterday and the weeks before it?

 

"He didn't hurt. That's all it really is -- he wasn't in as much pain," said Francona."

 

-Extra Bases

[Spudboy]

Lowrie's a hell of a shortstop. His UZR/150 last year was completely off the charts at 24.6. He's plenty solid defensively. And before he fractured his wrist last year' date=' he hit .287/.381/.444 in the minors and .323/.371/.419 with the Red Sox. And he was an RBI machine.[/quote']

 

Thank you for the pre-injury numbers. Seems to me he has some promise, eh?

[Spudboy]

"Mike Lowell's progress has improved exponentially over the last two days, according to Red Sox manager Terry Francona. So much so that Lowell will try to hit off live pitching in batting practice today.

 

"Yesterday was the most encouraging day he's had in a long time," Francona said before tonight's game vs. the Royals.

 

Lowell, who is on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 28, hasn't played since June 27 because of a strain to his hobbled right hip.

 

So what's the difference between yesterday and the weeks before it?

 

"He didn't hurt. That's all it really is -- he wasn't in as much pain," said Francona."

 

-Extra Bases

 

Well, there you have it. This is what Lowell's best case scenario for the second half is. Most likely. The injection in his hip will have temporary positive effects. The existing damage to his hip will continue to bother him. It sucks to get old. Especially if you are an athlete.

 

The Sox will need to make a move before the deadline.

 

I'd go with V-Mart or, dare I say, Teahan.

[Dutchy]

"Mike Lowell took live batting practice yesterday for the first time since going on the 15-day disabled list, and said his hip felt great and he felt encouraged. Lowell had experienced some stiffness after taking swings in the cage earlier this week.

 

Lowell’s biggest obstacle remains the pounding from running. Swinging and other rotational movements affect him less, and he said his flexibility is better now than before his surgery and still improving."

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2009/07/11/after_toss_baldelli_was_thrown_into_action/?page=3

[617_suffolkcounty_standup]

Well, there you have it. This is what Lowell's best case scenario for the second half is. Most likely. The injection in his hip will have temporary positive effects. The existing damage to his hip will continue to bother him. It sucks to get old. Especially if you are an athlete.

 

The Sox will need to make a move before the deadline.

 

I'd go with V-Mart or, dare I say, Teahan.

 

What would you be willing to give up for Martinez or Teahen?

[Dojji]

For VMart: Bowden and Wagner

 

For Teahen: Doubront and Jones.

[Dutchy]

For VMart: Bowden and Wagner

 

For Teahen: Doubront and Jones.

 

You get what you pay for. V-Mart's a much better player.

[Dojji]

But is he a much better fit here? A lot of VMart's value is in his ability to play catcher, and we aren't looking to move either Tek or Kot.

 

Frankly if you need a tiebreaker, I could do without paying that much for the privellege of hearing "WHY THE **** ARE WE CARRYING THREE CATCHERS! KOTTARAS SUCKS! THIS IS ALL WAKEFIELD'S FAULT!" for the rest of the year

[Dutchy]

But is he a much better fit here? A lot of VMart's value is in his ability to play catcher, and we aren't looking to move either Tek or Kot.

 

Frankly if you need a tiebreaker, I could do without paying that much for the privellege of hearing "WHY THE **** ARE WE CARRYING THREE CATCHERS! KOTTARAS SUCKS! THIS IS ALL WAKEFIELD'S FAULT!" for the rest of the year

 

Yeah, you're right. V-Mart does lose a lot of his value if he's no longer catching and perhaps he isn't the best fit with Kottaras as Wakefield's personal catcher. I think he looked like a much better option at the beginning of the year when he was hitting well and our catching looked like a weak spot.

 

But Varitek's had a comeback year (.821 OPS compared to V-Mart's .865) and our catching prospects have done well this year.

[Spudboy]

How is V-Mart's play at 1st? Is he as good as Kotsay? Can he play it full-time?

[Dojji]

He plays about the way you'd expect a catcher with limited 1B experience to play.

[617_suffolkcounty_standup]

Anything to at the very least reduce Kotsays role.

[Dojji]

I think we can find a better fit for a lighter price ensewhere.