Papi hurting again?

[Roy Hobbs]

And the hits keep on coming:

Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz said he felt a "click" in his troublesome left wrist in an at-bat in Monday night's loss at Kansas City, the Boston Herald reported.

"My last at-bat, it kind of pulled back a little bit," Ortiz said of his wrist, according to the Herald. "You feel that click and you get a little concerned about it."

He said he did not know if the situation would affect whether he would play Tuesday night, according to the report

"The main thing is to make sure my hand feels fine," Ortiz said, the newspaper reported. "I don't want to be thinking about my hand and my timing -- it's too much."

Hopefully it's nothing, just some displacement of air or a temporary shift in the joint.  Still, this can't be considered as overly great news.

Link.

[nickagneta]

Nomar had the same type of injury and it took him nearly a year to come back from it properly. I can't help but think that maybe the Sox rushed this the way they do a lot of injuries. It seems they always take the rehab path first and then the more complex ways only after it is apparent that the player can't do what is necessary.

Schilling's shoulder, Papi's wrist, Foulke's knee and other injuries have all followed a pattern where the Red Sox push to get the player on the field as quickly as possible and not necessarily as healthy as possible. Perhaps that's good, perhaps not.

But I can't help but think in doing these type of things that they don't handicap themselves at times. If Ortiz ends up needing surgery and that was an option from the get go, did they hurt themselves by not allowing him to get the surgery which would have precipitated a move to replace him as a DH for the rest of the season.

Now trade options are going to be harder to come by due to the need to pass players through options before trading them. The free agent options consist of Bonds, yuck, and not a lot else.

Let's hope Papi just felt something that's normal in recovery and is being cautious.

On another note, since Manny left Ortiz has been pitiful. I don't know if it's because his timing is off(I think this is definitely part of it), if he's not happy Manny is gone(possible mental adjustment needed), if the A's and Royals pitched around him(definitely some of the problem), or if he's still hurting(let's hope not).

But this team will only go as far as Ortiz's bat will allow them, unless of course the pitching suddenly starts having an ERA around 2.00 for the rest of the season and through the playoffs.

[winsomme]

Nomar had the same type of injury and it took him nearly a year to come back from it properly. I can't help but think that maybe the Sox rushed this the way they do a lot of injuries. It seems they always take the rehab path first and then the more complex ways only after it is apparent that the player can't do what is necessary.

Schilling's shoulder, Papi's wrist, Foulke's knee and other injuries have all followed a pattern where the Red Sox push to get the player on the field as quickly as possible and not necessarily as healthy as possible. Perhaps that's good, perhaps not.

But I can't help but think in doing these type of things that they don't handicap themselves at times. If Ortiz ends up needing surgery and that was an option from the get go, did they hurt themselves by not allowing him to get the surgery which would have precipitated a move to replace him as a DH for the rest of the season.

Now trade options are going to be harder to come by due to the need to pass players through options before trading them. The free agent options consist of Bonds, yuck, and not a lot else.

Let's hope Papi just felt something that's normal in recovery and is being cautious.

On another note, since Manny left Ortiz has been pitiful. I don't know if it's because his timing is off(I think this is definitely part of it), if he's not happy Manny is gone(possible mental adjustment needed), if the A's and Royals pitched around him(definitely some of the problem), or if he's still hurting(let's hope not).

But this team will only go as far as Ortiz's bat will allow them, unless of course the pitching suddenly starts having an ERA around 2.00 for the rest of the season and through the playoffs.

i am definitely starting to become leery of the medical staff working with our players. i know there can be differences of opinion amongst DRs, but it seems like the Sox staff consistently is recommending treatment that is only placating problems and not rectifying them.

i was really upset when Theo didn't let Schill's DR, who KNEW his anatomy from already working on him, not perform his advised procedure that could have him close to coming back right now......

i never understood the rift with Dr Morgan. does anybody know what went down there? i thought he did a really good job with our players.

[crownsy]

Nomar had the same type of injury and it took him nearly a year to come back from it properly. I can't help but think that maybe the Sox rushed this the way they do a lot of injuries. It seems they always take the rehab path first and then the more complex ways only after it is apparent that the player can't do what is necessary.

Schilling's shoulder, Papi's wrist, Foulke's knee and other injuries have all followed a pattern where the Red Sox push to get the player on the field as quickly as possible and not necessarily as healthy as possible. Perhaps that's good, perhaps not.

But I can't help but think in doing these type of things that they don't handicap themselves at times. If Ortiz ends up needing surgery and that was an option from the get go, did they hurt themselves by not allowing him to get the surgery which would have precipitated a move to replace him as a DH for the rest of the season.

Now trade options are going to be harder to come by due to the need to pass players through options before trading them. The free agent options consist of Bonds, yuck, and not a lot else.

Let's hope Papi just felt something that's normal in recovery and is being cautious.

On another note, since Manny left Ortiz has been pitiful. I don't know if it's because his timing is off(I think this is definitely part of it), if he's not happy Manny is gone(possible mental adjustment needed), if the A's and Royals pitched around him(definitely some of the problem), or if he's still hurting(let's hope not).

But this team will only go as far as Ortiz's bat will allow them, unless of course the pitching suddenly starts having an ERA around 2.00 for the rest of the season and through the playoffs.

i think its mostly going to be adjustign to not seeing anythign to hit really. teams respect mike lowell, they don't fear him ala manny.

thus, papi's been seeing very few strieks, and those that he does see are only thrown when the pitcher is ahead in the count and can try to get him to chase. if a guy goes 2-0 to him now, you can almost see the guy go "ah well, ill nibble, and if i walk him, i walk him."

as to pappy missing manny, im sure that true on a personal level, but im not so sure professinaly. if you read todays globe, theres a telling line from ortiz, i copied and pasted it;

That's what we have to do now. There were a lot of things going on and Manny wanted to go, so now everybody is playing the game hard the way it's supposed to be, and I'm not saying that because Manny is gone. I think we're just going ahead and playing the game."


to me that says "yea, i didnt really think manny was giving it 100%, and he needed to go."

there's been rumors ortiz and manny have chilled since 2006, when ortiz was going for the single season sox HR recored, and he felt manny took the last 2 months of the season off, and he took it as a slap in the face, kind of like a "hey buddy, i need you here with or without the pennant race" and manny kind of going "well, i don't feel like it if were not in it" with his media stance and "nagging" hamstring


hopefully as roy said, this is just a small thing, and not a problem, because with lowell's hip, if papi is out to, kiss our wildcard chances goodbye, nevermind catching tampa.

[Evantime34]

Let's bring in Barry Bonds. Also we need to move Masterson into Bucholz spot in the rotation he just isn't doing it for me.

[winsomme]

Let's bring in Barry Bonds. Also we need to move Masterson into Bucholz spot in the rotation he just isn't doing it for me.

for some reason Bucholz has lost a little "pop" on his fastball....not sure if they are telling him to take a something off of it to prevent the "dead arm" from last season or what, but when he had that fastball WITH MOVEMENT humming in there at 94-95mph, he was really hard to hit.....but now it is coming in around 92-93 and IMO makes him more hittable.

if he could get going, it would be a huge boost to the rotation.

BUT what we need the most is a shut down staff ace caliber start from Beckett tonight.....this simply has to happen at this point in the season.

hey, does anybody know who took Hansen's spot in the bullpen? i'd like to see Bard come up for a while...

[mahonedog88]

No Bonds.  You're gonna get rid of Manny because of how he acts on the field and in the clubhouse and bring a guy with more baggage than anyone in the league right now?  I don't think so.

This is unfortunately just another crack in the armor for the defending champs.  There are many things that just aren't going there way and will seem to stop them from repeating.  Things like...

-Josh Beckett being nowhere near the ace he was last year.
-Clay Bucholz stinkin up the joint since being called up from Triple A.
-The bullpen, while seemingly getting a bit better, gave up all of those wins in the first half of the season.  I strongly believe that we would be looking at at least a 3 game lead for us right now if it wasn't for the bullpen in the first half of the season.
-No Schilling for the year.
-And of course all of the Manny problems.

Imagine the situation we'd be in if Jon Lester hadn't made that huge stride this season.

[Bankshot]

So the Curse of Manny begins.

[crownsy]

Let's bring in Barry Bonds. Also we need to move Masterson into Bucholz spot in the rotation he just isn't doing it for me.

bonds is 43, persumably off roids, and hasent hit in MLB in almost a year, what makes you think he'll be any good?

and where would he be playing exactly? he can't DH, so your sitting drew or bay, both of whom (albiet with a small sample size for bay) are very productive.

[nickagneta]

Let's bring in Barry Bonds. Also we need to move Masterson into Bucholz spot in the rotation he just isn't doing it for me.

for some reason Bucholz has lost a little "pop" on his fastball....not sure if they are telling him to take a something off of it to prevent the "dead arm" from last season or what, but when he had that fastball WITH MOVEMENT humming in there at 94-95mph, he was really hard to hit.....but now it is coming in around 92-93 and IMO makes him more hittable.

if he could get going, it would be a huge boost to the rotation.

BUT what we need the most is a shut down staff ace caliber start from Beckett tonight.....this simply has to happen at this point in the season.

hey, does anybody know who took Hansen's spot in the bullpen? i'd like to see Bard come up for a while...

Chris Smith but apparently David Aardsma is ready to return so by the time the team reaches Chicago it will probably be Aardsma.

Back on topic, this team can not afford to lose Ortiz. yes his start sans Manny has been slow but every other time he has been without Manny for an extended period of time he has done well(2006, the last 6 weeks of the season, for a month last September). Sometimes, better than well.

But without a healthy, hitting Papi this team is going to have major problems scoring runs with the likes of a struggling Ellsbury, Coco, Varitek, and the light hitting Lowrie in the lineup. Add to that a hurting Lowell and the possibility that Bay could slump trying to get used to American League hitting and this team is in trouble.

If Papi goes out Francona will have no choice but to put Ellsbury at the leadoff and have him try to bunt his way on a lot, steal bases, hit and run, sacrifice and play National League ball everyday hoping the pitching staff can come up big.

[Vermont Green]

there's been rumors ortiz and manny have chilled since 2006, when ortiz was going for the single season sox HR recored, and he felt manny took the last 2 months of the season off, and he took it as a slap in the face, kind of like a "hey buddy, i need you here with or without the pennant race" and manny kind of going "well, i don't feel like it if were not in it" with his media stance and "nagging" hamstring

Rumors? ? ? ?

Where exactly are you getting this?

[Vermont Green]

and where would he be playing exactly? he can't DH, so your sitting drew or bay, both of whom (albiet with a small sample size for bay) are very productive.

I think you only even consider bringing him is if Papi is out for the year so you can play him at DH.  Nobody is suggesting to bring him in if Papi can continue to play.

[JSD]

Nomar had the same type of injury and it took him nearly a year to come back from it properly. I can't help but think that maybe the Sox rushed this the way they do a lot of injuries. It seems they always take the rehab path first and then the more complex ways only after it is apparent that the player can't do what is necessary.

Schilling's shoulder, Papi's wrist, Foulke's knee and other injuries have all followed a pattern where the Red Sox push to get the player on the field as quickly as possible and not necessarily as healthy as possible. Perhaps that's good, perhaps not.

But I can't help but think in doing these type of things that they don't handicap themselves at times. If Ortiz ends up needing surgery and that was an option from the get go, did they hurt themselves by not allowing him to get the surgery which would have precipitated a move to replace him as a DH for the rest of the season.

Now trade options are going to be harder to come by due to the need to pass players through options before trading them. The free agent options consist of Bonds, yuck, and not a lot else.

Let's hope Papi just felt something that's normal in recovery and is being cautious.

On another note, since Manny left Ortiz has been pitiful. I don't know if it's because his timing is off(I think this is definitely part of it), if he's not happy Manny is gone(possible mental adjustment needed), if the A's and Royals pitched around him(definitely some of the problem), or if he's still hurting(let's hope not).

But this team will only go as far as Ortiz's bat will allow them, unless of course the pitching suddenly starts having an ERA around 2.00 for the rest of the season and through the playoffs.

The Red Sox definitely try to manage injuries.

Not opting for surgery with Ortiz and Schilling right away is there way of saying “They have the off-season to recuperate from surgery. We have a championship to win” I can’t say I disagree.

[winsomme]

Nomar had the same type of injury and it took him nearly a year to come back from it properly. I can't help but think that maybe the Sox rushed this the way they do a lot of injuries. It seems they always take the rehab path first and then the more complex ways only after it is apparent that the player can't do what is necessary.

Schilling's shoulder, Papi's wrist, Foulke's knee and other injuries have all followed a pattern where the Red Sox push to get the player on the field as quickly as possible and not necessarily as healthy as possible. Perhaps that's good, perhaps not.

But I can't help but think in doing these type of things that they don't handicap themselves at times. If Ortiz ends up needing surgery and that was an option from the get go, did they hurt themselves by not allowing him to get the surgery which would have precipitated a move to replace him as a DH for the rest of the season.

Now trade options are going to be harder to come by due to the need to pass players through options before trading them. The free agent options consist of Bonds, yuck, and not a lot else.

Let's hope Papi just felt something that's normal in recovery and is being cautious.

On another note, since Manny left Ortiz has been pitiful. I don't know if it's because his timing is off(I think this is definitely part of it), if he's not happy Manny is gone(possible mental adjustment needed), if the A's and Royals pitched around him(definitely some of the problem), or if he's still hurting(let's hope not).

But this team will only go as far as Ortiz's bat will allow them, unless of course the pitching suddenly starts having an ERA around 2.00 for the rest of the season and through the playoffs.

The Red Sox definitely try to manage injuries.

Not opting for surgery with Ortiz and Schilling right away is there way of saying “They have the off-season to recuperate from surgery. We have a championship to win” I can’t say I disagree.

Schilling's DR said that Schills ONLY chance of playing THIS season was surgery and i think that that has proven to be the case....

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3237261

surgery was also in the best interest of the player which is why Schill got so upset that they refused to allow him to have the surgery.

[crownsy]

and where would he be playing exactly? he can't DH, so your sitting drew or bay, both of whom (albiet with a small sample size for bay) are very productive.

I think you only even consider bringing him is if Papi is out for the year so you can play him at DH.  Nobody is suggesting to bring him in if Papi can continue to play.

even then i wouldnt trust a roid head who hasent hit in 10 months and is presumably clean now. rather promote a minor leaguer or get someone who gets cut.