According to Michael Vega of the Boston Globe, relief pitcher Bobby Jenks will be shutting it down for the season effective immediately.
After signing a two year $12M contract in the offseason, Jenks was expected to team up with Daniel Bard in creating a dominant bridge to closer Jonathan Papelbon. Instead, 2011 has been somewhat of a lost season for the former White Sox closer. Since struggling in April, he’s been forced to make multiple trips to the disabled list with various injuries. His most DL stint started on July 8th due to back tightness. According to sources, he was scheduled to start a rehab assignment for single-A Salem later this week, but that’s since been cancelled due to his latest flare up. He is scheduled to visit Dr. Kirk Wood, a back specialist at Massachusetts General, on Wednesday.
In other news, Erik Bedard will skip his next scheduled start on Friday due to a sore left knee. While the Red Sox haven’t made any decisions about who will start in his place, Terry Francona mentioned Kyle Weiland as a possibile replacement. An official decision is expected to come on either Tuesday or Wednesday. The injury is not thought to be serious.