I think we all knew it was coming, but it now looks official:
It’s likely, and not at all surprising, that Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield will not be on the any postseason roster due to a herniated disk in his lower back.
The injury is causing weakness and numbness in his left leg and his strength level has decreased to around 50 percent. His teammates and manager have called his efforts courageous and admirable while he’s attempted to pitch through the pain and discomfort. He will need surgery and will likely have it very soon.
If anyone saw Wakefield try to walk in his last start, you knew this was coming. He wasn't healthy then and you'd be foolish to think he'd be ready for the playoffs.
It's hard to see this for many reasons, but one is the fact Wake was so good in the first half of the season. He was an All-Star he was so good! To finish the season out like this is most definitely a hard way to go out.
The Sox will now go into the ALDS with Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz and Daisuke Matsuzaka as their four core starters. If they ever need a fifth starter if they are to make it to the ALCS or World Series, I would assume Paul Byrd would be the guy to get the nod. This also means that if Beckett or any other starter comes down with an injury, Byrd is the guy.