While the Boston Red Sox were off on Thursday, the news wasn’t all that good as far as the left elbow of reliever Rich Hill. The initial reports on Wednesday were good but it appears the MRI shows a tear in his elbow meaning he’ll probably need Tommy John surgery just like Daisuke Matsuzaka.
Media reports suggest Hill will seek a second opinion as he decides whether or not to undergo the season-ending surgery. But for the Red Sox this is a big blow to the bullpen.
Hill had emerged as the go to lefty in the bullpen after starting the season with Triple-A Pawtucket. They had tried Dennys Reyes who barely lasted a week with the team. Hideki Okajima was given a chance but he couldn’t repeat his Triple-A stellar start in another go around with the big club. They even acquired another lefty in Franklin Morales from the Colorado Rockies but he’s on the disabled list with a forearm strain.
The Milton, MA native put up great numbers in nine appearances for the Red Sox since his callup from Pawtucket. In eight innings of work, he allowed no runs, just three hits and three walks to go along with 12 strikeouts. His ability to be effective against both lefties and righties is definitely something the Red Sox will miss.
Where the Red Sox turn for a lefty for the time being is not known right now.
Okajima made it clear last night that he doesn’t want to be called up but rather traded. Felix Doubront just returned from the Triple-A DL and Andrew Miller might not be quite ready yet. But the Red Sox will need to callup one of them as they’ll need a lefty in the pen with Hill most likely heading to the DL and Morales on the DL. Theo Epstein will be hard pressed to find a lefty reliever in the trade market as well.
Hopefully the day off after 20 games in 20 days did the Red Sox wonders. They come into the three-game weekend set with the Oakland A’s losing their last four games. The A’s have lost their last three so something will have to give for the two teams.
Let’s just hope it’s the Red Sox who come out in the better end of the stick.
We’ll be back later with tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. But for now, enjoy the overnight links by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
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Matsuzaka to have surgery [Boston Globe]
Hill seeks second opinion on elbow [Boston Globe]
Miller warms up to Buchholz’s idea [Boston Globe]
David Ortiz turns back clock [Boston Herald]
Tommy John surgery expected for Daisuke Matsuzaka [Boston Herald]
Shrugging off Dice-K [Boston Herald]
Rich Hill has a left elbow sprain; Tommy John surgery possible [Clubhouse Insider]
Matsuzaka, Hill appear headed for surgery [CSNNE.com]
Matsuzaka, Hill share a similar fate [CSNNE.com]
Dr. M: Nuts and bolts of Tommy John surgery [CSNNE.com]
Bee stumper: S-A-L-T-A-L-A-M-A-C-C-H-I-A [ESPN Boston]
Hill deciding on whether to have surgery [ESPN Boston]
SoxProspects: Best and worst of May [ESPN Boston]
As Daisuke Matsuzaka exits, what options do the Red Sox have to replace him? [Extra Bases]
Hoist a brew with Youk for charity [Extra Bases]
Hideki Okajima looking to move on from Red Sox, not get called up [Extra Bases]
Why the 2011 draft may represent an opportunity the Sox never have again [Full Count]
Red Sox Lefty Rich Hill Reportedly Headed for Tommy John Surgery [NESN.com]
Red Sox Foundation Auctioning Off Signed Red Sox 1918 Uniforms From Cubs Series For Charity [NESN.com]
Who Should Take Daisuke Matsuzaka’s Spot in the Red Sox’ Rotation? [NESN.com]
Saltalamacchia’s bat getting warmer with the weather [Providence Journal]
Decision on Ortiz poses great risk/reward for Epstein [Providence Journal]
An improving Millwood could take Dice-K’s slot [Providence Journal]
Dice-K’s absence opens doors for others [Providence Journal]
Red Sox seek impact players early in Draft [RedSox.com]
Players of the Month, May: Alex Wilson & Bryce Brentz [SoxProspects.com]
Red Sox Draft Preview Part 4 of 7: Players Linked to the Sox [SoxProspects.com]
For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSNNE, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.
Photo credit: AP Photo
