The Red Sox just can't seem to catch a break. Despite being in 2nd place in the tough AL East, the Red Sox have been decimated by injuries. Catcher Jason Varitek and Relief Pitcher Manny Delcarmen were placed on the 15-day disabled list on Friday. Varitek is listed with a fractured metatarsal, and Delcarmen a forearm strain. With injuries at the catcher position, the Red Sox traded for Kevin Cash, who played on the Red Sox for two seasons.
Varitek and Delcarmen are just two of the recent BoSox players to be placed on the DL.
Here's a list of the players that are currently apart of Boston's injury bug:
Josh Beckett, Pitcher: Beckett hasn't pitched for Boston in six weeks due to back stiffness. He's hardly been mentioned in recent talk because he really hasn't played this season. The Red Sox are on a sizzling streak, even without the best pitcher on their roster. He threw a practice session last week and said that he felt "fine". Beckett is predicted to be back after the All-Star break. Hopefully, Beckett can return and make an impact for the rest of the season.
Dustin Pedroia, Second Base: Against the San Francisco Giants late last week, Pedroia fouled a Giants' pitch off of his foot. He was diagnosed after the game that he had a broken foot and therfore, would have to miss anywhere between 4-6 weeks. Pedroia has barely missed any time in his Red Sox tenure, so this came as quite the surprise to see him injured, especially for that long. I don't expect to see Pedroia out for six weeks - I think he can return as soon as he feels he's ready to. Having Pedroia, AL's 2008 MVP, is a big boost for the Red Sox, as he is becoming Boston's best player. If the doctors clear Pedroia, he'll be back on the field immediately.
Jacoby Ellsbury, Outfielder: He fractured his ribs early into the season, and has only played a total of nine games this year. Having missed that many games, no one is 100% sure when Ellsbury will step back onto the field. He's one of Boston's best young players, so not having him on the field hurts the team. Even if Ellsbury came back, he wouldn't be completely healthy. His stats would not be that great, which could lead to a deflated salary via free agency (if Boston decides to let him go). With Ellsbury healthy, the Red Sox can be much better with the speed and agility Ellsbury brings to the team. I think he'll be back with the Red Sox somewhere around a month from now....hopefully.
Clay Buchholz, Pitcher: When Buchholz got injured playing the Giants, the Red Sox trainers thought that he had just hyperextended his knee. But, that was not the case. MRI's showed that the young pitcher had a slight tear in his hamstring, but no one knows if it's that's serious. Fortunately, Boston's schedule is favorable and Buchholz may not miss any time at all. He adds great value to an already great pitching staff (when healthy). I think he should be back on the field sooner than people think and I hope I'm right.
Jason Varitek, Catcher: A few days ago, Jason Varitek went down with a then-mysterious injury. It was later reported that it was a broken foot and like Pedroia, he would be forced to miss anywhere from 4-6 weeks, too. With he and Martinez out, this leaves the BoSox thin at the Catcher position. They just acquired Kevin Cash and have had Gustavo Molina on the roster. Both, statistically, are unproven and this could hurt the Red Sox more than they know. I think they are going to make a deal for a Catcher at the trade deadline, however.
Jeremy Hermida, Outfielder: Many people don't even realize who Hermida is, but he was having a very good statistical season with Boston until he got injured. Although he was listed as the fourth outfielder, he started some of the games and played very well. Hermida has missed about a month with broken ribs. When Mike Cameron and J.D. Drew were injured, Hermida did more than what the Red Sox wanted him to do. He provided a great threat on offense that most opposing pitchers didn't expect. Like Ellsbury, it is not know when Hermida will return. When he gets back healthy, I think he could continue the pace he was at before he got injured.
Manny Delcarmen, Relief Pitcher: Delcarmen got placed on the 15-day DL on Friday with a forearm strain. Delcarmen hasn't done that well this season and is perhaps, having the worst season of his career. I don't really miss Delcarmen, just for that fact alone. He has failed to provide good pitching, and the Red Sox probably won't miss his inconsistency. I think the Red Sox will also have to deal for a relief pitcher at the trade deadline, with their only decent reliever is Daniel Bard (I would list Papelbon, but he hasn't done that well either).
These are just the players that are injured now. Daisuke Matsuzaka, Mike Cameron, and J.D. Drew have all had stints on the DL this season, too. They can't seem to catch a break as it seems like a star player is injured every single week. If the Red Sox want to win the division, they are going to have to get healthy or make some deals that can help them win. After a horrible start to the season, they have somehow caught fire recently and have surpassed the Rays and Blue Jays in the divison. They are currently behind the Yankees for the division lead.
They are now being forced to bring in players that hardly have any major league experience. Some of these players include Daniel Nava and Molina. Bill Hall has had major playing time recently, while trying to rejuvenate his career after his good stint with Milwaukee.
At the end of the day, I think the Red Sox will get healthy and received a Wild Card berth at the end of the season. They probably won't win the division, but they'll give it a shot. They are a good and competitive team, which is why I think they'll accomplish something by the end of the season. But, with injuries, they could very well miss the playoffs. All they need to do is become healthy.
