Pre-game medical report on the Sox
Posted by Peter Abraham, Globe Staff May 26, 2010 04:17 PM
Let's start with the most vexing issue first.
Jacoby Ellsbury said he felt fine and had a scheduled day off yesterday before feeling something on his left side after batting practice. That's when the Sox changed plans and decided to retain Darnell McDonald.
Ellsbury had x-rays and a CT scan and was examined by Dr. Coco Eaton, the well-respected Rays team physician. According to Ellsbury, he had inflammation in roughly the same area as his fractured ribs.
The test results will journey to Boston with the Sox tonight to be studied by the doctors there. Ellsbury said he hoped the issue would be minor and not require a return to the disabled list.
Ellsbury said he felt better this morning but when he tried to swing a bat at the ballpark this afternoon, "it started barking on me again."
As for the other injured players:
Victor Martinez (left big toe): He can swing a bat well but squatting behind the plate is an issue — unless he's not wearing his spikes. He's improving and the Sox for the moment see no need to add a third catcher as Martinez feels he could catch in an emergency.
J.D. Drew (hip flexor, hamstring, calf): He needed a day off and Francona decided it would be today rather than risk something getting worse. It's a preventative measure more than anything else and it sounds like Drew will be back in the lineup tomorrow.
Josh Beckett (bad): Remains on track to throw a side session on Friday afternoon. He worked out again today and is making progress.