As the Red Sox continue to win games, they also continue to lose key players. In the last four days, the Red Sox have lost three players to the disabled list. All-in-all, the Sox currently have eight players on the disabled list, two of which are out for the rest of season. Late yesterday, we got some news regarding two of those injured players.
Jed Lowrie has reportedly informed the Red Sox that he will seek a second opinion on his sore left shoulder. He will travel to Los Angeles to meet with Dr. Lewis Yocum, the surgeon that performed Tommy John surgery on Daisuke Matsuzaka, to get that second opinion. Manager Terry Francona had this to say:
"Jed is going to leave [Tuesday], fly to LA and see Dr. Yocum on Wednesday," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "He'll have the pictures [taken] and he'll see him in person, which we feel like there's no reason for him not to go. He's not playing anyway so let's have him examined in person and that'll be good."
(via WEEI)
While I wouldn't call this news encouraging, they certainly got some good news from relief pitcher Bobby Jenks. Jenks threw from flat ground on Monday for the first time since he was placed on the disabled list with left back stiffness on June 8.
"Bobby actually had a really good day," Francona said. "He threw out to 200 feet and threw some flat ground. If he shows up [Tuesday] with no ill effects from that, he might even take it to the mound a little bit. Not a full-fledged side but just kind of getting back on that downhill plane. But he had a real good day, best day, by far."
(Ditto)
My take on Jenks is that the Sox should proceed with caution in getting him back to the majors. Having two injuries almost back-to-back is just a little bit concerning. They also can take their time with him due to the strong play of Matt Albers, Daniel Bard, and Jonathan Papelbon at the end of the bullpen.