The Boston Red Sox have remained relatively healthy throughout spring training, but the few injuries that have cropped up are to some core members of the team.
Starting pitcher Joe Kelly was one of the first Red Sox to go down, though the biceps soreness he experienced in his throwing arm initially was written off as a simple dead arm issue. But on Tuesday, manager John Farrell said it was possible that the right-hander could start the season on the disabled list.
While it seems as though the Red Sox simply are being cautious, the possibility that Boston could lose a starter in a rotation that’s not very deep is slightly unsettling.
Koji Uehara is another piece of the pitching staff who might not be ready for Opening Day. The veteran closer hasn’t pitched since March 14 due to a hamstring injury, and Farrell said Tuesday that there’s “growing concern” Uehara won’t be ready for the April 6 opener in Philadelphia. Should he be sidelined, the Red Sox would have to turn to Edward Mujica or Alexi Ogando in the ninth inning.
Christian Vazquez’s Opening Day status also is unclear. Farrell expressed similar wishy-washiness Thursday about the 24-year-old catcher’s elbow soreness as he did with Uehara, simply saying that the team would know more about the injury come Friday or Saturday.
Boston has a solid veteran in Ryan Hanigan and the top catching prospect in Blake Swihart should Vazquez start the regular season on the bench. But the team would certainly miss Vazquez, who already is getting looks as one of the best defensive catchers in the MLB.
Thumbnail photo via Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports Images
