Kelly Hurting

[GomesBeard]

Joe Kelly pulled from yesterday's start with 'bicep stiffness/tendonitis' - apparently something that has happened before. Everyone seems to be downplaying it. But the Mets downplayed Zach Wheeler's elbow pain until they announced he needed TJ surgery yesterday. Not saying the same for Kelly, but an early injury that he has had before concerns me, even for the #5 guy. Kelly is a guy that I was hoping for very good things from, pitching beyond a #5. And with recent injury history of other guys in the rotation, I'm wondering how much the Sox will have to test their pitching depth this year. I'd like to see a couple of the young arms at some point, but not too many and not too soon....

[Palodios]

It doesn't sound like a major injury. Kelly needs to be ready by the middle of the month -- around the 15th. There are a lot of early days off in the season.

 

Steven Wright?

[Palodios]

This organization seems to think Steven Wright is their #6 pitcher.

 

I read an article recently that looked at the effectiveness of relievers who pitched after Dickey/Wakefield outings. Apparently there is a noticeable decline in BAA/ERA if you pitch after a knuckleballer. In Wake's career it was around an 11% decline in ERA, Dickey's closer to 20%.

 

If Steven Wright is somehow able to pitch like a serviceable backend pitcher, maybe it'll turn into wins. Hopefully?

[GomesBeard]

I have to believe that a uper-80's fastball must look like 100 mph after a knuckler! But with the advent of having power arms in the BP, if you have a guy who throws 95 coming in after Wright, it must seem like Aroldis Chapman on steroids....

[Kimmi]

Kelly says that he felt much improved today. He may have his next start pushed back, but it really doens't sound serious.

 

At this point, I am more concerned with Vazquez' arm soreness.

[mvp 78]

f*** Stephen Wright.

[Bellhorn04]

Sure doesn't take long for injuries to kick in.

[Kimmi]

Sure doesn't take long for injuries to kick in.

 

 

No, it doesn't. And the division will be so close this year that one injury could mean the difference between playoffs or not.

[cp176]

f*** Stephen Wright.

 

 

I totally agree with you on this one. Anyone who thinks that he is even close to Wakefield on a good day is truly a wisher and a hoper. He doesn't have it. I had rather see them yard any of the young guys out there as opposed to him. His sample size hasn't been that small. It isn't going to work.

[cp176]

Sure doesn't take long for injuries to kick in.

 

 

I said it earlier - any type of tendonitis is reason for concern. He says he is ok. I hope he is. If it truly is tendonitis, they will have to shut him down for a while.

[a700hitter]

It doesn't sound like a major injury. Kelly needs to be ready by the middle of the month -- around the 15th. There are a lot of early days off in the season.

 

Steven Wright?

Yuk!

[Kimmi]

I'm not a big fan of the knuckleball pitcher, but I'm not understanding all the dislike for Steven Wright. He's not supposed to be a top of the rotation pitcher. He's slated to be a #6 guy, so you can't expect a sub 4 ERA. He appears to have developed more consistency, cutting his walk rate in half last year, albeit in a small sample. Also, the 'contrast in style' effect that Palodios mentioned could have an overall effect that makes him and the BP better than their individual talents. He's worth giving a shot to if Kelly's injury is indeed more serious than he's letting on.

[cp176]

I'm not a big fan of the knuckleball pitcher, but I'm not understanding all the dislike for Steven Wright. He's not supposed to be a top of the rotation pitcher. He's slated to be a #6 guy, so you can't expect a sub 4 ERA. He appears to have developed more consistency, cutting his walk rate in half last year, albeit in a small sample. Also, the 'contrast in style' effect that Palodios mentioned could have an overall effect that makes him and the BP better than their individual talents. He's worth giving a shot to if Kelly's injury is indeed more serious than he's letting on.

 

I think that it will probably happen. I'm just not a huge fan of any knuckleball pitcher. That being said, I liked Wakefield when he was in his on mode. I don't see Wright being the next Wakefield. I do think that he will get his chance. After he gets it, maybe he will change some opinions and maybe he won't. Too many ups and downs out of most of these guys. Great when they are on and not so much at all when they are not.

[GomesBeard]

Now Koji is hurting, pulled hammy..... I think Farrell mentioned Mujica as the closer....

[cp176]

Now Koji is hurting, pulled hammy..... I think Farrell mentioned Mujica as the closer....

 

I saw that last night. Worst case scenario is for these guys to start losing pitchers.

[jacksonianmarch]

Kelly is as fragile as they come

[Kimmi]

Kelly is as fragile as they come

 

 

What's going on with Ellsbury?

[jacksonianmarch]

Oblique strain. He should be back by opening day

[SoxnCycles]

Oblique strain. He should be back by opening day

 

Mr Fragile will be back sooner.

[GomesBeard]

Kelly threw 32 pitches in bullpen, and threw all of his pitches. Said he felt fine. So that's good.

[Dojji]

A few minor injuries while stretching out for the season is pretty normal. Happens every year to every team.

[cp176]

A few minor injuries while stretching out for the season is pretty normal. Happens every year to every team.

 

Aches and pains for sure - if he says he is ok, no doubt he is. Whoever mentioned any kind of tendonitis was just taking a shot at a diagnosis.

[BSN07]

Oblique strain. He should be back by opening day

 

He will miss half the season with that injury lol

[gojohn99]

I think I read somewhere that they may try Barnes as a reliever. Sounds to me that Uehara may be out longer than they are letting on.

[Dojji]

I don't like eating into our starting depth that way if we can avoid it. We might need Barns as a back of the rotation starter at some point this year.

 

I always prefer not to shift a guy who can start into a relief role unless he's much better suited there.

[mvp 78]

I don't like eating into our starting depth that way if we can avoid it. We might need Barns as a back of the rotation starter at some point this year.

 

I always prefer not to shift a guy who can start into a relief role unless he's much better suited there.

 

This is how I feel. Finding a stop gap closer on the open market should be easy if Koji stays injured.

[Spudboy]

Plus Barnes will likely be needed in a starting role soon.

 

I listened to Olney talk about how industry observers ( scouts, etc. ) view the Sox rotation and their assessment ( ST so far ) is not good.

 

It was pointed out that only Miley and Porcello have pitched 200 innings. Miley looks bad overall.

 

Masterson can not keep the ball down. This is why Cleveland and St. Louis dumped him. He will get shelled.

 

While the Sox are reporting that Buch's FB is 90-93 this spring, scouts have him sitting at 87-89.

 

Kelly was not discussed at length but it was pointed out that he has injury issues and has never pitched more than 128 innings in a season.

 

To compound the problem, the Sox pen lacks quality and depth ( ouch! ).

 

 

Olney says that while the Sox will likely score tons of runs, most observers see the Sox not making the playoffs this season. Baltimore will take the AL East with very good starting pitching.

 

This is what objective observers who are paid to know have to say.

 

The good news is that Betts is universally seen as a monster in the making.

 

That, and the fact that many good starters will be available mid season. Olney sees the Sox possibly landing Cuato (SP?) or Zimmerman.

 

Regardless, he says it is doubtful that the Sox can score enough runs to make it to the playoffs.

[cp176]

Plus Barnes will likely be needed in a starting role soon.

 

I listened to Olney talk about how industry observers ( scouts, etc. ) view the Sox rotation and their assessment ( ST so far ) is not good.

 

It was pointed out that only Miley and Porcello have pitched 200 innings. Miley looks bad overall.

 

Masterson can not keep the ball down. This is why Cleveland and St. Louis dumped him. He will get shelled.

 

While the Sox are reporting that Buch's FB is 90-93 this spring, scouts have him sitting at 87-89.

 

Kelly was not discussed at length but it was pointed out that he has injury issues and has never pitched more than 128 innings in a season.

 

To compound the problem, the Sox pen lacks quality and depth ( ouch! ).

 

 

Olney says that while the Sox will likely score tons of runs, most observers see the Sox not making the playoffs this season. Baltimore will take the AL East with very good starting pitching.

 

This is what objective observers who are paid to know have to say.

 

The good news is that Betts is universally seen as a monster in the making.

 

That, and the fact that many good starters will be available mid season. Olney sees the Sox possibly landing Cuato (SP?) or Zimmerman.

 

Regardless, he says it is doubtful that the Sox can score enough runs to make it to the playoffs.

 

 

I think that that is a reasonable assessment. I would very much not like to see Barnes moved to the bullpen primarily because of the reasons above. He is a starting pitcher. Power arm - possibly middle of the rotation kind of guy someday. They will need all of the help they can get. I do think that they will score but not in the huge quantities that some people think they will. I think that they can win 85 games and that might be enough. More likely between 80- 85.

[Bellhorn04]

One thing I'm pretty confident of is that the Sox FO will not sit on their hands if the rotation gets off to a really bad start.

[jacksonianmarch]

Wow, Olney read my mind, lol. The sox rotation sucks donkey balls. Masterson has looked terrible. Buchholz is trying to show everyone he can be an ace, and he's showing the opposite. And your best reliever looked awful again and is currently hurt. You guys are coming out of the gate looking like the Rangers back when they had ARod. Lots of O, no pitching to be found