The Official 2011 Red Sox Injury Thread.

[Spudboy]

So why is that old man making a 2011 Sox Injury thread when it's still 2010 and spring training is over two months away?

 

It's simple. The Sox may have a formidable roster (on paper) but there are many question marks with regard to team health that should raise some doubt as to how effective this team will be in the upcoming season. So there is plenty to discuss now. Going forward, this thread can be used to discuss injuries during spring training and the regular season. Including discussion of how the Sox will compensate / adjust to any injuries (let's all hope that 2011 is not a repeat of 2010).

 

I'll start:

 

There are a bunch of players on the 25 man roster coming off injuries and surgery. And at least two others (on the 40 man) who's health is of concern.

 

Some of them -----

 

Dustin Pedroia - He's got that screw in his foot. He's not participating in his normal off-season work-out regiment, let alone any baseball activities. He'll have to learn to run and thrust off that foot again. He's my biggest concern right now.

 

 

Kevin Youkilis - He says his thumb is close to being normal and he's preparing for life after surgery at 3rd base. Let's hope he does not skip a beat health - wise. He's the heart of the Sox offense (IMO).

 

Josh Beckett - I don't know what his malady du-jour is. But a safe bet is his back. He can be a dominant pitcher, but he has too many nagging injuries for my comfort. Suck it up you over paid lump of Texas fools gold.

 

 

Jacoby Ellsbury - His posterior ribs are still sore. That worries me. Like him or hate him, he's a young, cheap, very athletic player that has improved each year. Plus he plays hard.

Which makes me worry even more.

 

 

Jason Veritek - He was at Fenway working out last week. That's a good sign. Hopefully his foot is in better shape than Pedroia's. He'll be catching at least half the games this year if so. Bank on it.

 

 

Salty ( I won't pretend to be able to spell his name) - This dumb f*** concealed a hand injury during the trade process and now has had surgery. I have little hope that he will "break-out" this season.

 

 

Adrian Gonzalez - Did anyone see how much difficulty he had removing his jacket to put on the Sox jersey at his introduction? He won't be swinging a bat until at least March 1st!

OYE!!!!

 

 

Marco Scutaro - Kudos to Marco for toughing it out last year. But..... bulging discs don't go away. Thank Gawd we have the next guy....

 

 

Jed Lowrie - My only concern with this guy is the long term effects of having a bone removed from his wrist. Maybe Jacko can tell us more of what this means down the road.

 

 

J.D. Drew - He had an off year in 2010. His numbers were down pretty much across the board. Strangely, he spent more time complaining about the expanded strike zone than he did about his usual injuries. I see that as a good sign.

 

Felix Dubrount - A sore neck shut him down. Rest and a better choice of a girlfriend should do him some good. It had better. The Sox have very little back-up starting pitching.

 

 

Ahh Christ, I can't remember the name of the Sox 39 year old outfielder with the hanging intestines. Just as well.

 

Tazawa and McDonald are coming off surgery ass well. I hope Tazawa won't be needed but I believe Darnell should be playing a big part.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Please don't let 2010 strike again lol.

[Keeper]

Dice-K is another guy you always have to worry about.

[Dipre]

Mike Cameron's the OF you're referring to, Spud, and his health is very important, since he'll play a large part of the 2011 Sox, with the team being so left handed and all.

 

Jenks is also a concern, since he had questionable health during '10, and his velocity didn't creep up to its usual levels until the end of the season.

 

Wakefield's back and shoulder are also of concern, even though that may not be a problem in a reduced role.

[EXman369]

f***... i expected this list to be short didnt realize that so many of our players were injured forgot about pedroia being hurt

[Dojji]

Throw Papelbon into the mix here too, his shoulder's an ongoing concern.

[Palodios]

Wakefield has been in rough shape for a while.

[redsoxrules]

Pedroia is the one that concerns me the most out of that list

[BSN07]

Pedroia is my biggest worry too.

[Spudboy]

Everyone has good reasons to worry about Pedroia.

 

If he misses some time early, I'd like to see Scutaro play 2nd (his natural position), and have Lowrie at SS (his natural position). This would also serve to protect Scutaro's ailing arm to some extent.

 

Of course Scutaro has to be healthy enough to play.

 

We'll see how it shakes out in spring training.

[Spudboy]

So why is that old man making a 2011 Sox Injury thread when it's still 2010 and spring training is over two months away?

 

It's simple. The Sox may have a formidable roster (on paper) but there are many question marks with regard to team health that should raise some doubt as to how effective this team will be in the upcoming season. So there is plenty to discuss now. Going forward, this thread can be used to discuss injuries during spring training and the regular season. Including discussion of how the Sox will compensate / adjust to any injuries (let's all hope that 2011 is not a repeat of 2010).

 

I'll start:

 

There are bunch of players on the 25 man roster coming off injuries and surgery. And at least two others (on the 40 man) who's health is of concern.

 

Some of them -----

 

Dustin Pedroia - He's got that screw in his foot. He's not participating in his normal off-season work-out regiment, let alone any baseball activities. He'll have to learn to run and thrust off that foot again. He's my biggest concern right now.

 

 

Kevin Youkilis - He says his thumb is close to being normal and he's preparing for life after surgery at 3rd base. Let's hope he does not skip a beat health - wise. He's the heart of the Sox offense (IMO).

 

Josh Beckett - I don't know what his malady du-jour is. But a safe bet is his back. He can be a dominant pitcher, but he has too many nagging injuries for my comfort. Suck it up you over paid lump of Texas fools gold.

 

 

Jacoby Ellsbury - His posterior ribs are still sore. That worries me. Like him or hate him, he's a young, cheap, very athletic player that has improved each year. Plus he plays hard.

Which makes me worry even more.

 

 

Jason Veritek - He was at Fenway working out last week. That's a good sign. Hopefully his foot is in better shape than Pedroia's. He'll be catching at least half the games this year if so. Bank on it.

 

 

Salty ( I won't pretend to be able to spell his name) - This dumb f*** concealed a hand injury during the trade process and now has had surgery. I have little hope that he will "break-out" this season.

 

 

Adrian Gonzalez - Did anyone see how much difficulty he had removing his jacket to put on the Sox jersey at his introduction? He won't be swinging a bat until at least March 1st!

OYE!!!!

 

 

Marco Scutaro - Kudos to Marco for toughing it out last year. But..... bulging discs don't go away. Thank Gawd we have the next guy....

 

 

Jed Lowrie - My only concern with this guy is the long term effects of having a bone removed from his wrist. Maybe Jacko can tell us more of what this means down the road.

 

 

J.D. Drew - He had an off year in 2010. His numbers were down pretty much across the board. Strangely, he spent more time complaining about the expanded strike zone than he did about his usual injuries. I see that as a good sign.

 

Felix Dubrount - A sore neck shut him down. Rest and a better choice of a girlfriend should do him some good. It had better. The Sox have very little back-up starting pitching.

 

 

Ahh Christ, I can't remember the name of the Sox 39 year old outfielder with the hanging intestines. Just as well.

 

Tazawa and McDonald are coming off surgery ass well. I hope Tazawa won't be needed but I believe Darnell should be playing a big part.

 

 

Fascinating story on Dustin Pedroia [stats] by former Herald scribe Rob Bradford on WEEI.com last week. While Pedroia is normally one giant ball of bravado, he was very candid in admitting that he lives in fear of reinjuring his surgically repaired left foot. He also acknowledged that this season is going to be one long attempt at managing the injury, which still gives him pain.

 

“My thing is that I have to save bullets in different ways,” Pedroia told Bradford. “Like stretching. I can’t go out and stretch for 45 minutes in spring training. I can’t take the wear and tear. I have to go out there and use all the energy and pounding in the right areas. I can’t go out there and stretch for 45 minutes and be tired for the game. That’s stupid.”

 

 

As I said, Pedroia is my biggest concern.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Fascinating story on Dustin Pedroia [stats] by former Herald scribe Rob Bradford on WEEI.com last week. While Pedroia is normally one giant ball of bravado, he was very candid in admitting that he lives in fear of reinjuring his surgically repaired left foot. He also acknowledged that this season is going to be one long attempt at managing the injury, which still gives him pain.

 

“My thing is that I have to save bullets in different ways,” Pedroia told Bradford. “Like stretching. I can’t go out and stretch for 45 minutes in spring training. I can’t take the wear and tear. I have to go out there and use all the energy and pounding in the right areas. I can’t go out there and stretch for 45 minutes and be tired for the game. That’s stupid.”

 

 

As I said, Pedroia is my biggest concern.

 

Yup. As much as I absolutely despise admitting it, Pedroia could be a going concern for the Sox this year.

 

I'm choosing not to worry about it until Pedroia comes out of a game with a foot injury, even though that's irrational.

[BSN07]

This is probably one of the biggest reasons I don't see Jed taking over at SS full time anytime soon. He is going to see a good amount of time at 2B, especially early on. The days of Pedroia playing everyday and flipping out on Tito at the thought of having to watch a game on rare occasions are long gone. Judging by those comments alone I'll be surprised to see him play more then 130 games this year. And now I'm starting to think that might be too hopeful. I don't like this Pedroia situation at all(I know, no one does). And I don't think anyone should be taking it lightly. It's things like this that make having a player like Jed around very valuable.

 

BTW thanks Spud. I had managed to put this worry out of mind for awhile.

[SoxFanForsyth]

When asked if he was 100 percent recovered from his broken foot, Dustin Pedroia replied, "Does a bear s*** in the woods?’’

We'll take that as a "yes." All along we expected the former AL MVP to enter spring training at 100 percent, and he appears to be right on track. Feel free to draft Pedroia among the elite at second base.

 

-excerpt from Rotoworld.com.

 

The air is thick with anticipation around Fenway Park.

 

While new Red Sox Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford settle into their new home in Boston, fan favorite and former MVP Dustin Pedroia has been hard at work rehabbing his broken left foot all offseason.

 

"I'm good," he told ESPN.com's Joe McDonald. "I'm getting better every day."

 

Pedroia underwent surgery in September, and a long and vigorous rehab program. Pedroia, however, is ready to play ball again. A team source told ESPN.com that Pedroia is "pretty much fully healed" but is proceeding cautiously heading into spring training.

 

-From NESN.com

 

Seems like there are some conflicting reports swirling around. Hopefully he was just having a tough day when he was talking to WEEI about "saving bullets" and he'll be able to get out of spring training and be close to 100% by April 1.

[BSN07]

Those comments seem a bit more positive. Will be something to keep an eye on in ST.

[jacksonianmarch]

If you fracture through the navicular bone and it doesnt heal correctly, then a part of the bone could actually die. If that happens, then the foot doesnt line up right and chronic pain ensues. It isnt something that will end a career or anything, it just might mean he'll always have pain regardless of how well it has healed. He might just have to deal with it and move on

[jacksonianmarch]

Pedroia is my biggest worry too.

 

Youk's injury isnt all puppies and rainbows either. It was a very rare injury to an incredibly important muscle in the hand. I would assume he's worked his ass off to work his muscles back from the atrophy of not being used, but my guess is he takes a few weeks to get re-acclimated before hitting like he typically does. Neither of these injuries should limit their abilities, I just think the media downplayed their potential impact on 2011. If I were Tito, I'd have Youk DHing a fair amount especially vs lefties and I would also make sure to rest Pedey a fair amount as well

[a700hitter]

Youk's injury isnt all puppies and rainbows either. It was a very rare injury to an incredibly important muscle in the hand. I would assume he's worked his ass off to work his muscles back from the atrophy of not being used' date=' but my guess is he takes a few weeks to get re-acclimated before hitting like he typically does. Neither of these injuries should limit their abilities, I just think the media downplayed their potential impact on 2011. If I were Tito, I'd have Youk DHing a fair amount especially vs lefties and I would also make sure to rest Pedey a fair amount as well[/quote']Youk is looking good. NESN had footage of him vigorously working out with a sledge hammer. It was a strenuous workout and he looked very stong.

[jacksonianmarch]

Strength is only part of it. Timing is the other. Regardless, I am predicting a slow start for Youk then a standard .320BA and .900+OPS from June 1 on.

[SoxFanForsyth]

"The health right now is good," Epstein said when asked about the current state of the team from an injury perspective. "Right now, all the injured players are ahead of schedule."

 

Epstein said reports of some pain in Dustin Pedroia's foot is not from the part of the foot that was operated on and is nothing to be concerned about. Francona indicated they would back off Pedroia a bit at the start of spring training regarding certain drills.

 

From Boston.com, Pete Abraham reporting over at the Red Sox Town Hall meeting.

[SoxFanForsyth]

They're having a Red Sox Town Hall meeting tonight, started about 5 min ago. NESN.com has a live blog of it if you're out of NESN's network.

 

Also, Boston.com/sports has a great article with some questions already asked to the panel of Werner, Lucchino, Theo, and Francona. Good read - gets you pretty pumped up for the season.

[EXman369]

f***kk i got a rush event tonight or i would tune into it

[SoxFanForsyth]

Ugh Rush. Worst part about rush is bid sessions. f*** bid sessions

[EXman369]

That and interview night cause u know all the kids are just spewing s*** out of their mouths

[VA Sox Fan]

Wish I had NESN. Thanks for fk'n YES but no NESN Verizon Fios. Blah.....

[VA Sox Fan]

Oh, and I'm worried about Pedey too.

 

Here's to good health to all in 2011.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Theo Epstein on the Town Hall last night about Pedroia's injury and his foot "feeling wierd":

 

Pedroia I know mentioned in an article that his foot felt a little funny and everyone went crazy. It turns out that was pain in a different part of his foot that was caused by having his foot immobilized for so long

 

Even though I know we're not out of the woods yet, that's some great news after what Pedroia had been saying. Sounds like what he's feeling is normal and should be fine by Opening Day.

[Palodios]

Even though I know we're not out of the woods yet' date=' that's some great news after what Pedroia had been saying. Sounds like what he's feeling is normal and should be fine by Opening Day.[/quote']

 

Does a bear $#!^ in the woods?

[SoxFanForsyth]

Red Sox GM Theo Epstein and manager Terry Francona suggested that they envision second baseman Dustin Pedroia -- who had a screw put in his foot in September to help heal a broken left foot -- being able to make a full recovery for the coming season. Pedroia recently told WEEI.com that he would modify some of his activities in order to reduce the strain on his foot, and he also admitted that he still sometimes has discomfort in the appendage, prompting some anxiety about his health going forward.

 

 

 

But Epstein said that while Pedroia will be paced in his return, his recovery is proceeding well, and he is not expected to be restricted for the season. The discomfort Pedroia encountered, Epstein said, was unrelated to the surgery.

 

 

 

"He went through a period where he was having some pain in a slightly different part of his foot, and doctors determined it was basically a result of having the foot immobile for so long. That was reassuring," said Epstein. "It didn’t have anything to do with the fracture or the surgery. He’s healing really well, working out. He’s not wearing cleats yet, but we’re going to be smart about it. We don’t expect him to be limited by the time the season starts."

 

 

 

Francona suggested that he has checked in frequently with the second baseman, and acknowledged that Pedroia has experienced emotional ups and downs during the recovery process. Even so, the manager is confident that the three-time All-Star will be in good shape entering the 2011 season.

 

 

 

"Like anybody that's had a screw put in, you have some days where you're like so thankful. You feel those little milestones or breakthroughs, and then, you have a couple days where you get frustrated," said Francona. "But I think from talking to him and the people that are running his rehab that he's going to come through this with flying colors. Saying that, the first day we're down there, we do the 300-yard shuttle. We might not let him do that. We might. But he had a screw put in his foot. We're going to try to take care of our guys. We'll check with him every day, but I think he's going to be OK."

 

 

 

The 27-year-old Pedroia hit .288 with a .367 OBP, .493 slugging mark, .860 OPS, 12 homers and nine steals in 75 games before fracturing his foot by fouling a ball off of it in San Francisco in late-June.

 

[DirtDog]

This thread is depressing. It's 2011! New Beginnings. Forgot this is Red Sox nation. Gloom and Doom:(