Ellsbury still in pain

[Korn2]

I'm going to ask a question and defer to Jacko on this one.

 

Why, if it was obvious to a Doctor watching TV that the chances for a fracture were high, and the fact that X-Rays are inconclusive, did they not do a CAT scan immediately?

 

It may have shocked Tito and the Red Sox, but Jacko called it immediately.

 

Take your pick. The Red Sox doctors suck just as much as their team does right now, or Jacko really knows his stuff from a medical background, and people should stop questioning his diagnosis, admit they were wrong, and bow down to his "medicinal might".

 

Choose.

 

I have some experience with this.

 

The difference between a hairline fracture in the rib and a severe bruise in the rib are very difficult to diagnose. In the end doctors don't spend a lot of time, at least initially, trying to find the difference as the treatment is the same. Its not like an arm that you put into a splint and imobilize if there is a break but just wrap in an ace bandage and ice if there is a severe sprain. The ribs have to continue to move if you intend to keep breathing and hairline fractures in the ribs aren't cause for surgery. You basically just have to wait for the ribs to heal.

 

There have been some questions about the Red Sox medical staff in the past, most famously from failing to diagnose Curt Schilling's career ending arm injury when he was signed prior to the 2008 season. But I don't think this is cause to blame the Red Sox doctors.

 

FWIW Doctor Thomas Gill, the Red Sox physician is a very well respected doctor with sixteen years experience, and the chief of sports medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, the number five ranked hospital in the country according to U.S. News and World Report. I'd certainly go see him or his staff if I were hurt.

 

Their affiliated hospital is the Beth Israel Deconess Hospital which is also a nationally recognized hospital and where I personally receive my care.

 

As I'm sure you all know, Boston is nationally renowned for its plethora of experienced doctors. Its a little silly given all this information to question if the Red Sox doctors know what they are doing.

[a700hitter]

I have some experience with this.

 

The difference between a hairline fracture in the rib and a severe bruise in the rib are very difficult to diagnose. In the end doctors don't spend a lot of time, at least initially, trying to find the difference as the treatment is the same. Its not like an arm that you put into a splint and imobilize if there is a break but just wrap in an ace bandage and ice if there is a severe sprain. The ribs have to continue to move if you intend to keep breathing and hairline fractures in the ribs aren't cause for surgery. You basically just have to wait for the ribs to heal.

 

There have been some questions about the Red Sox medical staff in the past, most famously from failing to diagnose Curt Schilling's career ending arm injury when he was signed prior to the 2008 season. But I don't think this is cause to blame the Red Sox doctors.

 

FWIW Doctor Thomas Gill, the Red Sox physician is a very well respected doctor with sixteen years experience, and the chief of sports medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, the number five ranked hospital in the country according to U.S. News and World Report. I'd certainly go see him or his staff if I were hurt.

 

Their affiliated hospital is the Beth Israel Deconess Hospital which is also a nationally recognized hospital and where I personally receive my care.

 

As I'm sure you all know, Boston is nationally renowned for its plethora of experienced doctors. Its a little silly given all this information to question if the Red Sox doctors know what they are doing.

Knocking Ellsbury out of action is another reason why Beltre has been a disaster.

[Dipre]

Knocking Ellsbury out of action is another reason why Beltre has been a disaster.

 

Now you're just stretching there, champ.

[a700hitter]

Now you're just stretching there' date=' champ.[/quote']I didn't say it was rational, but this guy has brought the clouds with him from Seattle. We need to get Ellsbury a rib transplant or some powerful painkillers fast, or we need to make a trade for an OFer. I can't take much more of Hall and McDonald. It makes me nauseas.

[Dipre]

I didn't say it was rational' date=' but this guy has brought the clouds with him from Seattle. We need to get Ellsbury a rib transplant or some powerful painkillers fast, or we need to make a trade for an OFer. I can't take much more of Hall and McDonald. It makes me nauseas.[/quote']

 

Don't you dare speak ill of McDonald.

[a700hitter]

Don't you dare speak ill of McDonald.

Minor league piece of trash. He had a good weekend and he owned the town. It will have to last him into old age, because it is over and baseball has no sentimentality. If you suck, you will be exploited no matter how heatwarming your story. They used to bunt on the war hero with the wooden leg. The game is ruthless. McDonald has no game. Get me a major league hitter. He was a temporary stop gap-- a game or two or three-- not a month. Dump him and get a real player. You are too sentimental, which is why you can't trade your stars in fantasy.

[Korn2]

I didn't say it was rational' date=' but this guy has brought the clouds with him from Seattle. We need to get Ellsbury a rib transplant or some powerful painkillers fast, or we need to make a trade for an OFer. I can't take much more of Hall and McDonald. It makes me nauseas.[/quote']

 

He bought clouds with him? I thought it was silly when I heard some columnists blame Ellsbury's injury on the decision to move him to left field. But this reaches another level. Beltre showed in the Baltimore series why they got him as his defense was stellar. Without him they don't win two out of three and aren't even in a position to win yesterday.

 

Hall and McDonald are fine for short-term fill ins. You aren't going to find someone better than them. Were you expecting Roberto Clemente to fill this role?

[a700hitter]

He bought clouds with him? I thought it was silly when I heard some columnists blame Ellsbury's injury on the decision to move him to left field. But this reaches another level. Beltre showed in the Baltimore series why they got him as his defense was stellar. Without him they don't win two out of three and aren't even in a position to win yesterday.

 

Hall and McDonald are fine for short-term fill ins. You aren't going to find someone better than them. Were you expecting Roberto Clemente to fill this role?

Fill-ins are one thing, but they shouldn't be playing for weeks on end.

 

BTW: I was joking about the clouds. I was hoping people would pick up on that.

 

Beltre has been a disaster in every facet of the game so far.

[Palodios]

As replacement minor leaguers, they're fine. As the outfield of a team with high expectations they're garbage. As much fun as McDonald was, he had atleast two more chances for walkoffs in the past two or three games and he didn't rise to this occasion. He's like Nick Green, a good story for a few days and maybe a few weeks, but they will need to be replaced eventually.

[a700hitter]

As replacement minor leaguers' date=' they're fine. As the outfield of a team with high expectations they're garbage. As much fun as McDonald was, he had atleast two more chances for walkoffs in the past two or three games and he didn't rise to this occasion. He's like Nick Green, a good story for a few days and maybe a few weeks, but they will need to be replaced eventually.[/quote']Not for weeks on end. We went way too long with Nick Green last season. Get Xavier Nady.

[Palodios]

I define "few" as two or three, you know, to bridge the gap between minor injuries. And, why Nady? he's not hitting all that great now, and has never been all that great defensively.

[Dojji]

As much crap as Dipre has given me for my love of guys like Kottaras, Hulett, Van Every and Nava, I just have to sit here and chuckle a little at what I devoutly hope was his little joke about Darnell McDonald.

[Korn2]

Fill-ins are one thing, but they shouldn't be playing for weeks on end.

 

BTW: I was joking about the clouds. I was hoping people would pick up on that.

 

Beltre has been a disaster in every facet of the game so far.

 

This statement is inaccurate.

 

Beltre's fielding overall has been excellent all season and was on display in the Baltimore series where he made several excellent plays. He hasn't really hit that well yet but I'm confident that he will hit better than he has and be well worth the net $6M that the Red Sox spent on him.

 

Fill ins play for weeks on end when your regulars are hurt. That's the way it is for most teams. Whom do you think plays if Granderson get hurt? Fill ins.

[Dipre]

As much crap as Dipre has given me for my love of guys like Kottaras' date=' Hulett, Van Every and Nava, I just have to sit here and chuckle a little at what I devoutly hope was his little joke about Darnell McDonald.[/quote']

 

It was a joke. And i'll keep giving you crap. Because Tug Hulett, Nava and Van Every suck. I now sit here and chuckle at the fact that you went out of your way to make that joke and give me material to make you look silly.

[a700hitter]

This statement is inaccurate.

 

Beltre's fielding overall has been excellent all season and was on display in the Baltimore series where he made several excellent plays. He hasn't really hit that well yet but I'm confident that he will hit better than he has and be well worth the net $6M that the Red Sox spent on him.

 

Fill ins play for weeks on end when your regulars are hurt. That's the way it is for most teams. Whom do you think plays if Granderson get hurt? Fill ins.

Not a 31 year old minor leaguer.

[rhet]

Beltre's fielding overall has been excellent all season and was on display in the Baltimore series where he made several excellent plays.

 

Beltre has excellent quickness, but he has displayed stone hands and poor throwing mechanics. He's good for quite a few great plays, but routine plays are an adventure.

[Korn2]

Not a 31 year old minor leaguer.

 

Actually it would likely be Randy Winn who is 35 and fits the very definition of a journeyman. If both Granderson and Gardner got hurt it would likely Greg Golson. Golson may only be 24 but he had a K:W ratio of nearly 4 in AA and AAA the last two years.

 

Do you really think that he's better than Darnell McDonald?

 

Most teams don't have very good options available in April if two outfielders are hurt. The reason the Red Sox traded for John Van Every was that he was the best available talent on the market.

 

Xavier Nady can't play CF and thus doesn't play over Darnell McDonald.

 

I swear a700 its as if you expect the Red Sox to go out and acquire Colby Rasmus to fill in for a few weeks while their injured players heal.

[a700hitter]

Actually it would likely be Randy Winn who is 35 and fits the very definition of a journeyman. If both Granderson and Gardner got hurt it would likely Greg Golson. Golson may only be 24 but he had a K:W ratio of nearly 4 in AA and AAA the last two years.

 

Do you really think that he's better than Darnell McDonald?

 

Most teams don't have very good options available in April if two outfielders are hurt. The reason the Red Sox traded for John Van Every was that he was the best available talent on the market.

 

Xavier Nady can't play CF and thus doesn't play over Darnell McDonald.

 

I swear a700 its as if you expect the Red Sox to go out and acquire Colby Rasmus to fill in for a few weeks while their injured players heal.

A gun to my head and I have to pick an aging veteran like Winn or a career minor leaguer like Mcdonald to play one game or one week or one month, yeah, I take my chances with Winn ever time.

[Korn2]

A gun to my head and I have to pick an aging veteran like Winn or a career minor leaguer like Mcdonald to play one game or one week or one month' date=' yeah, I take my chances with Winn ever time.[/quote']

 

That wouldn't be your choice though. The Red Sox have two centerfielders out not one. If the Yankees had two centerfielders out for a month they'd have to play Winn AND a career minor leaguer. One who hadn't played nearly as well in the minors as MacDonald.

 

I personally don't think there is a huge difference between MacDonald and Winn but the point is that if players are injured, you can't go and spend millions to replace them for a month. Its not realistic and it wouldn't make a difference at the end of the year.

[a700hitter]

That wouldn't be your choice though. The Red Sox have two centerfielders out not one. If the Yankees had two centerfielders out for a month they'd have to play Winn AND a career minor leaguer. One who hadn't played nearly as well in the minors as MacDonald.

 

I personally don't think there is a huge difference between MacDonald and Winn but the point is that if players are injured, you can't go and spend millions to replace them for a month. Its not realistic and it wouldn't make a difference at the end of the year.

I'd take Thames or Gardner over McDonald too.

[Spudboy]

I'd take Jose Tartabul.

 

Even now.

[rhet]

I'd take Jose Tartabul.

 

Even now.

 

Heck, he's only a couple years older than Cameron...

[Korn2]

I'd take Thames or Gardner over McDonald too.

 

And its unlikely you'd see much of a difference. Can you really tell me that over the next month that having Marcus Thames over Darnell MacDonald is going to make a difference?

 

Really when you start dripping down into your AAA roster there really isn't much of a difference in talent. Darnell MacDonald is fine for a few weeks and getting someone significantly better is going to represent a huge cost in exchange for very little incremental value.

[jacksonianmarch]

That wouldn't be your choice though. The Red Sox have two centerfielders out not one. If the Yankees had two centerfielders out for a month they'd have to play Winn AND a career minor leaguer. One who hadn't played nearly as well in the minors as MacDonald.

 

I personally don't think there is a huge difference between MacDonald and Winn but the point is that if players are injured, you can't go and spend millions to replace them for a month. Its not realistic and it wouldn't make a difference at the end of the year.

 

If Gardner and Grandy were injured, Winn would be in CF and Thames in LF.

[jacksonianmarch]

And its unlikely you'd see much of a difference. Can you really tell me that over the next month that having Marcus Thames over Darnell MacDonald is going to make a difference?

 

Really when you start dripping down into your AAA roster there really isn't much of a difference in talent. Darnell MacDonald is fine for a few weeks and getting someone significantly better is going to represent a huge cost in exchange for very little incremental value.

 

Thames has hit 20+ homers a few times in his MLB career. McDonald has done nothing in the bigs

[Spudboy]

Heck' date=' he's only a couple years older than Cameron...[/quote']

 

[SoxSport]

Considering the quality of veteran players who make $4-5 mil these days, the Red Sox got a steal in McDonald, who won a game for them and maybe might do more.

 

Regarding Ellsbury and Cameron, I wonder if that collision might have had something to do with Ellsbury switching positions. Maybe not familiar with LF, though I think he played there some as a rookie. Just bad luck, when you combine it with Cameron's abdomenal problems. Who would have thought 2/3 of the outfield would be down in April.

 

From what I've seen so far, this team has issues which may keep it out of the playoffs. Tito still has a struggle with veteran loyalty vs team play, though it looks like he's trying to get a handle on it--with Lowell finally getting some platoon time. And Wake going to the BP--where he's needed more at this point, since their middle relief has sucked. Tek has been a pleasant surprise. If they keep him fresh, he could last the season.

 

Finally, that crisis situation with teams taking free bases almost at will. I've seen discussions in other chat groups, and there is the feeling out there, as I suspect, that the problem is more with the pitchers not holding runners on than the catching. The media hasn't touched this so far, and it's about time they did. No sense in spending big bucks for another catcher until you make an effort to hold runners on. This is a policy decision that needs attention.

[SoxSport]

Thames has hit 20+ homers a few times in his MLB career. McDonald has done nothing in the bigs

 

Nothing? He won a game the other night, and that's not chopped liver.

[jacksonianmarch]

So, his one hit has vaulted him over a guy who has proven to be at least an average regular and an above average platoon player?

[Dipre]

Considering the quality of veteran players who make $4-5 mil these days, the Red Sox got a steal in McDonald, who won a game for them and maybe might do more.

 

Regarding Ellsbury and Cameron, I wonder if that collision might have had something to do with Ellsbury switching positions. Maybe not familiar with LF, though I think he played there some as a rookie. Just bad luck, when you combine it with Cameron's abdomenal problems. Who would have thought 2/3 of the outfield would be down in April.

 

From what I've seen so far, this team has issues which may keep it out of the playoffs. Tito still has a struggle with veteran loyalty vs team play, though it looks like he's trying to get a handle on it--with Lowell finally getting some platoon time. And Wake going to the BP--where he's needed more at this point, since their middle relief has sucked. Tek has been a pleasant surprise. If they keep him fresh, he could last the season.

 

Finally, that crisis situation with teams taking free bases almost at will. I've seen discussions in other chat groups, and there is the feeling out there, as I suspect, that the problem is more with the pitchers not holding runners on than the catching. The media hasn't touched this so far, and it's about time they did. No sense in spending big bucks for another catcher until you make an effort to hold runners on. This is a policy decision that needs attention.

 

This.