Brandon Workman avoids surgery, still on disabled list

The Red Sox received good news from Brandon Workman's trip to Dr. James Andrews, with the renowned (and dreaded) orthopedic surgeon's second opinion leading only to a platelet-rich plasma injection, and not Tommy John Surgery.

Workman was originally optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket, but had the option reversed when the Red Sox realized he was headed for the disabled list. With Workman's DL stint retroactive to April 3rd, he's eligible to come off as early as April 18th, but his elbow is likely to leave him sidelined for quite a while longer, with the Red Sox setting no timetable for his return.

At the moment, the Sox can afford to sit and wait on him to get healthy. But 40-man spots are limited, and with Boston facing some pitching issues, it's entirely possible that Workman will find himself on the 60-day disabled list before he's completely fit again.

When Workman does return to action, he will do so as a reliever, with the Red Sox having pulled the trigger on his full-time conversion in spring. The Red Sox may well need starting help this season, but after his rough 2014, Workman would likely find himself behind Henry Owens, Eduardo Rodriguez, Brian Johnson, and Steven Wright when it came to finding an arm to add to the rotation. Pawtucket's relief offerings, on the other hand, are significantly thinner, giving him a chance to contribute to the Major League team sooner rather than later.