Although the news on teammate Andrew Bailey was decidedly not good, Red Sox right-hander Josh Beckett learned that he will not need to undergo thumb surgery. In fact, manager Bobby Valentine "totally" expects Beckett to be ready for his first scheduled start of the season, reports WEEI's Alex Speier. Beckett is slated to take the mound on Saturday against the Tigers. Given the uncertain state of the Boston rotation, Beckett needs to stay generally healthy if the Sox are going to contend in baseball's toughest division. The problem, of course, is history.
In his career, Beckett has made 13 trips to the disabled list and lost well more than 300 games to injury. Moreover, just three times has he eclipsed 200 innings in a season. So can Beckett be the quasi-ace the Sox need? His past suggests probably not.
Elsewhere ...
- While not "injury" news per se, it's still worth noting that Yankees lefty Andy Pettitte will make his spring debut on Wednesday when he works one inning of relief against the Mets. [Sporting News]
- Braves third baseman Chipper Jones (knee) tooks batting practice on Tuesday and says he could return to the lineup in advance of the April 13 home opener. [Atlanta Journal-Constitution]
- Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (elbow) had some difficulties during batting practice on Tuesday, but he says he's ready for opening day. [Thomas Harding via Twitter]
- Rays closer Kyle Farnsworth was a scratch Tuesday and will probably begin the season on the DL with elbow soreness. In his absence, Joel Peralta and/or Fernando Rodney will work as closer(s). [MLB.com]
- Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista was a Tuesday scratch because of "mild groin soreness." However, he should be fine for opening day. [John Lott via Twitter]
- For the second time in his career, Royals closer Joakim Soria has undergone successful Tommy John surgery. He suffered no complications from the procedure, which took place on Tuesday in Los Angeles. Soria first had Tommy John back in 2003. [MLB.com]
- Nationals closer Drew Storen (elbow) threw 25 pitches on Tuesday and hopes to come off the DL by the middle of the month. [MLB.com]
- X-rays on Nelson Cruz's bruised left elbow, which the Rangers outfielder suffered on Tuesday, have turned out negative. He's day-to-day. [T.R. Sullivan]
- A's first baseman Daric Barton (shoulder) has been placed on the DL retroactive to March 24. [A's official Twitter]
- Orioles lefty Tsuyoshi Wada (elbow) will open the season on the DL so that he can stay behind and concentrate on building up his arm strength. He'll be eligible to be activated on April 12. [
Baltimore Sun] - Rangers right-hander Yoshinori Tateyama (back) is likely to open the season on the disabled list. [MLB.com]
- A's left-hander Dallas Braden has been shut down for three weeks after receiving an injection of platelet-rich plasma in his injured shoulder. He's not likely to return until June. [San Francisco Chronicle]
Cubs first baseman Bryan LaHair is still sidelined with back pain; however, manager Dale Sveum maintains that LaHair won't need to open the season on the DL. [MLB.com]- Tigers reliever Luis Marte was forced to depart Tuesday's game with a hamstring injury and will open the season on the DL. [
Detroit News] - Tigers infielder Brandon Inge (groin) will start the season on the disabled list. [Detroit Free Press]
