Just when it looked like Tim Wakefield was back in the rotation for the final stretch run, the 43-year-old's aging body stepped in.
On Monday, the veteran received a cortisone shot in his back to alleviate the pain. His next scheduled start has yet to be determined.
“They wanted to push me back to Friday, but I don’t know if that’s going to happen,” Wakefield told The Boston Herald. “It’s tough not to be able to contribute like I want to. And I’m doing the best I can to get back on the field as soon as possible, because we’re running out of time and we’re in the middle of a pennant race.”
After Wakefield missed close to seven weeks of action due to a strained back, he picked up a no-decision in Wednesday's start against the White Sox — his first since mid-July. Wakefield looked strong on the hill, holding Chicago to on run in seven innings, but the pain in his hip and back were increasing as the game went on.
“It came on during the game, and I was able to pitch through it,” he said. “And then the rest of the game it just got worse and worse. It stinks. After two rehab stints I felt fine and I don’t think there was anything I did during the game that would provoke this injury to come back … there’s a fragmented piece that’s floating in there. It’s just a matter of getting it in the right position, so it doesn’t bother me any more.”
