Today was a pretty busy day for the Red Sox. Let’s jump right in to the news that was today.
- According to Christopher Price of WEEI, Josh Beckett will start on either Thursday or Friday during the crucial upcoming series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. The timing of his start will depend on how he feels after meeting with orthopedist Dr. George Theodore. The Red Sox haven’t decided who will start the other game, although Kyle Weiland and Alfredo Aceves‘s name have both come up.
- Heidi Watney reports that Clay Buchholz‘s latest throwing session was successful. Word is he could participate in a bullpen session as early as Thursday. Ideally, his rehab progresses quickly enough to allow him to be tested out of the bullpen during the regular season. Still, that seems as if it may be a bit unreasonable considering the nature of his injury. The start of the ALCS (performance willing) seems like the most likely ETA for Buchholz a this point.
- According to Scott Lauber at the Boston Herald, Kevin Youkilis sustained a sports hernia that will need to be surgically repaired after the season. Luckily for the Red Sox, Youk won’t let a little old sports hernia get in the way of playing every day. After a few days off, he returned to the lineup for tonight’s game against the Blue Jays.
- It’s really been a lost season for Bobby Jenks. As if his struggles on the mound and with injures weren’t enough, Peter Abraham reports he’s been diagnosed with a small pulmonary embolism. The issue was discovered during the treatment of his ongoing back issues, and is not believed to be life or career threatening. Our thoughts will be with the portly fireballing right hander as he recovers from this scary health issue.
- According to Alex Speier at WEEI, the Red Sox have added four prospects to the major league roster: RHP Junichi Tazawa, SS Jose Iglesias, 1B Lars Anderson, and LHP Trevor Miller. None are expected to play major roles with the club down the stretch.
- In response to the Red Sox promoting speedy outfielder Joey Gathright yesterday, the Red Sox have designated IF/OF Nate Spears for assignment and transferred J.D. Drew to the 60-day disabled list. Drew, recently diagnosed with an avulsion fracture of his middle finger, has been on the DL since July 19th. While this doesn’t end his season, it gives the Red Sox some flexibility with the 25-man roster come playoff time.
Like I said it was a busy day for the Red Sox. Hopefully, they can recover from their 5-4 deficit to Brandon Morrow and the Blue Jays to finally get Tim Wakefield his 200th win.