Who Is The Red Sox Closer?

Bailey is on the DL, and Hanrahan had to leave the game last night, so there is a serious question about who will be the Red Sox closer until one of those guys return. Most people think it'll be Koji Uehara, which I'm fine with. He has been playing well, and I like the way he is always way overexcited. 

Yet, I have a feeling I agree with DP here that I would rather see Tazawa. It's not that I don't think Uehara can do it, because I think he can, it's more about changing roles on a team. I like Uehara in that 7th/8th inning spot, and Tazawa has done nothing wrong over the last two year to make me think he can't handle thing. 

Going forward is going to be really interesting for the Red Sox. I like Bailey a lot, but he never stays healthy. It's hard to be impressed by anything Hanrahan has done. Even if Tazawa or Uehara take over the closer role and do well the Red Sox are going to have some bullpen problems if Bailey and Hanrahan can't be healthy and effective. Going into the season I thought the Sox bullpen was actually the strongest part of their team, now it looks like it could be the one part they made need to improve through trade.

I say trade because there doesn't seem to be a ton of internal options if these guys end up not being able to stay on the field. Bard seems to be a lost cause. I guess if the season was coming to a close you could call up young starter and have them do it, but they have all been doing well and I don't want to fuck with their progress. I hate flip flopping starters to relief roles, way to many cautionary tales to go down that road again.

Lackey Looks Good In Rehab Start

John Lackey, in a rehab outing with Double-A Portland, tossed 3 2/3 scoreless innings in which he allowed three hits (all on ground ball singles through the infield) while striking out five and walking two. He threw 67 pitches, 45 strikes (67 percent).

I can't believe I am going to say this, but I am looking forward to Lackey being back. It's really not because he's good, I just don't like Aceves as a starter. Lackey is overpaid, sounds like Kermit, and has a face only a mother could love, but for this team right now he is a very good 5th starter, and in the little bit we did see him looked good. Farrell said that is he looked good in this outing he could make his next start. I don't think that's very smart, as it seems like he could use another outing to get his arm strength back. Either way, without a setback, it sounds like he will be back in the big leagues very soon. 

Chris Kelly To Return Tonight?

Chris Kelly was able to make it through a full practice yesterday, and now it sounds like he could be back in the lineup tonight. This is great news, and actually kind of surprising since I didn't think we would hear his name for awhile after he broke his fibula.

Kelly wasn't having a great year, but I like him the Bruins could use some fresh legs.

Red Sox Injury Updates (UPDATED)

The Red Sox have been playing great to start the year, but they do have a rash of injuries. Here is the latest.

Lackey is most likely going to the DL. So far the Red Sox are saying there is no sign of a tear, and it seems like he just strained his bicep. It's too bad, because he was actually pitching well, but we won't know more until the results from the MRI are analyzed. For now, the Red Sox are feeling pretty good it won't be a long term injury, and Aceves is most likely going to take his spot in the rotation for the week.

Ortiz is feeling good and has been going through base running drills. He will start extended spring training games today or tomorrow, and the tentative plan is to have play a AAA game on Thursday.

Drew will be back on Weds. He is in AA right now, and will start there for another 2 days. He is 1-10 games down there, so it will be interesting to see what they do with the red hot Iglesias who is 9 for 17 while filling in.

***UPDATE***

Lucchino on @dandcshow re Lackey: 'my understanding of the MRI is that he had a mid-biceps strain, no structural damage'

Jeter's Ankle Giving Out?

Derek Jeter is not in the New York Yankees' lineup for a second straight day after experiencing stiffness in his surgically repaired left ankle.

The Yankees are acting like this is no big deal, but the fact that his ankle is swelling up, and it's the same one he had surgery on has to be concerning. Jeter is not a young man anymore, and when a player gets to his age it's tougher to bounce back (ask Ortiz). If Jeter ends up not being 100% the Yankees are in a deep, deep hole. Teixeira is out for at least a couple months and maybe the year, same goes for A-Rod, and Ganderson is lost for the beginning of the year. Other than Cano there isn't a ton to be scared of in this lineup.

Everyone is making a big deal out of how big of a mess the Red Sox are, but I would argue they are in a lot better shape than the Yankees. The Red Sox have prospects on their way, and they are not buried in bad contracts. I think the Yankees are in serious trouble.

Mark Teixeira Out For Season?

"Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira‘s wrist injury is worse than originally thought. Teixeira on Sunday revealed that instead of just a strained tendon, he has a partially torn tendon sheath (which covers the tendon and keeps it in place)."

I knew it was going to be worse than they thought when it was a wrist injury. It always is when it's a baseball player. Cashman has said there is a 30% chance that he will need season ending surgery, which would be an enormous blow to a team that is already having so many injury problems.

Teixeria, even if it heels on it's own, will be out a couple of months, and then is going to have to gain strength back in that wrist.I don't think even if everything goes right that he will be 100% till the end of July.

More Bad News For Yankees (UPDATED)

As teams warmup for the WBC there was a big injury for Team USA as Teixeira strained his right wrist while swinging off a tee Tuesday. He said he heard a "pop" and then a lot of pain. X-rays were negative and an MRI exam revealed a strain on the outside of Teixeira's right forearm, near his wrist. He has left the team and headed back to New York to meet with some specialists. Eric Hosmer will take his place for Team USA.

Right now they are saying this injury could be anywhere between 8-14 days, but anything with the wrist would scare me if I was a Yankees fan. The Yankees are already dealing with so many injury and problems. Between the steroid allegations, and injuries to Jeter, Rivera, A-Rod, on and off with Youk, Granderson, Hughes, it's getting to the point where you're starting to wonder what the hell their lineup will even look like by Opening Day.

Age and bad contract will catch up with this team, as it did the Red Sox. The difference being the Red Sox were at least able to ship a lot of their out to the Dodgers. I don't think the Yankees can do the same. 


***UPDATE***

"Yankees manager Joe Girardi announced Wednesday that first baseman Mark Teixeira has been diagnosed with a strained right wrist, suffered while warming up to play for Team USA Tuesday. Girardi told reporters that Teixeira will be out 8 to 10 weeks due to the injury, meaning he will likely miss at least the first month of the regular season (CBS)."

This is fucking awesome. HAHAHA

BREAKING NEWS: Barbosa Out For Season

As we expected Leandro Barbosa's season is over with a torn left ACL. The Celtics are now in a pinch about what to do with their roster, with only 10 healthy players left. I would expect some kind of roster move tonight or tomorrow, but this is really too bad as Barbosa was just starting to log in some serious minutes and having a serious role on the team.

This is now the 3rd player on the Celtics to be lost for the season (Sully, Rondo, Barbosa).

Buchholz Already Hurt

John Farrell announced that starting pitcher Clay Buchholz suffered a right hamstring strain bending over to pick up a ball during the first day of pitchers fielding drill. Ahhh, you got to love baseball. The only sport you could get hurt cleaning up after practice.

I am sure this won't be a big thing, but it just got me thinking about Buchholz. I keep hearing "well if Buchholz and Lester are good, the Red Sox could surprise people". I get that statement, but what hope is there that Buchholz is going to be good? I mean he had 1 good season 3 years ago, and that's about it. I feel like he is just a newer version of Dice-K. Lester I can see, since he has more of a track record, but my faith in Buchholz has really wavered. He has the stuff to have some incredible games, but he also gets hurt all the time and is just as capable of getting lit up as he is throwing a gem.

The Red Sox need some constancy from their pitchers, and I'm just not sure where they are going to get it from. 

What Will Celtics Do If Barbosa Is Out For Season?

The Celtics have already lost Rondo, and now it sounds like Barbosa is done for the season. If that is the case Boston will only have 10 healthy guys on their roster, and are going to have to make some kind of move. Trades are now harder, as Danny has said he is not trading Pierce or KG, so it seems like it will be free agents and within their own organization.

Most people seem to think Delonte West could come back, which obviously makes sense. He is a solid player, and knows the system. Yet, the reason he is not on a team is because he is a crazy person and probably should be in a mental institution. I don't know if Doc wants to deal with him, but we will see.

The other option is Shelvin Mack, who plays in Maine. He knows the system, and Boston can use a 10 day contract until they figure out a long term solution. This seems like the most likely option for immediate help.

Ortiz STILL Not Healthy

Talking by phone from the Dominican Republic, David Ortiz said he remains encouraged regarding his progress in coming back from an injured right Achilles tendon, but he admits he most likely will have to be cautious during the initial portion of spring training.

“I’m not completely recovered, but I’m going to be ready to go for Opening Day,” Ortiz told WEEI.com early Wednesday morning.

Well that doesn't make me feel very good. I mean this guy has been hurt since July, it's fucking February and he still isn't 100%... Awesome.  He has only been able to do some "small running", so what happens when he hits his first double off the wall and chugs into second base? I'd say there is a damn good chance he aggravates it.

Really not a good sign for a 37 year old that now has a two year deal for a good amount of money. Hopefully this works out, and is nothing more than a concern, but I it's just been so long, and for it to STILL not be 100% makes me think it'll never be.

Red Sox Ryan Kalish Out For Most Of 2013 Season

We've now learned, via the Boston Globe, that Kalish is expected to miss about six months after labrum surgery, which suggests late July or early August for the 25-year-old's return to baseball activities. 

I am sick of this guy. Sorry, I know inguries happen, but this guy never plays baseball. I keep hearing that he could be a sleeper and a long term answer to the Red Sox corner outfield spot, but it seems like that is just never going to happen. 

With him being out Gomes will likely get more playing time, and it could open the door for Nava to get some playing time as well. 

Rondo Injury Reaction

Much like most of the Celtics players I was shocked to hear Rondo would be out for the year with a tonr ACL. Hell, I didn't even think he was going to miss a game let alone miss the entire season. From the coaches and players reactions I guess I wasn't the only one.

Right when I heard it I thought, "Well, there goes this season", and maybe it's time to start blowing it up. It's not like this season was going well, and now they lost their best player. Yet, what are they going to do? People keep talking about Pierce to Memphis. Sorry, I just don't see it. KG would have a ton of value, but he has a no trade clause, and I can't see him going anywhere unless Pierce is dealt.

Here is what I think will happen. I agree with DP that I don't see them doing anything. I think they will make the playoffs, and actually play better ball without him. We have seen this happen before when a main player is out, and the team rallies. It doesn't mean they will win it all, as I have always thought for them to go that Rondo would be the key, but they can still have a very strong end to the season. I bet they actually end up being at least a 6 seed.

What will be interesting is the casual's fan reaction to this. Will we start to hear the dreaded "they are better off without Rondo?" I mean we hear Rondo trade rumors every year anyways. I think you will hear some of that, but it won't change the course of the Celtics. I think Rondo will still be the center piece of this team going forward, and call me crazy, but I think they could be a good thing for guys like Bradley.