They had just beaten the Giants, knocking out the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner in three innings. But despite taking two of three from the Giants, the Red Sox had a rough weekend.
Hobbling up the stairs to the plane on crutches was All-Star second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who fractured a bone in his foot Friday night. He will be examined in Boston on the off day Monday, but will miss anywhere from three to eight weeks. At this point, two months seems possible since he’s not even supposed to put weight on the foot.
Behind Pedroia was pitcher Clay Buchholz, who collected his first major league hit in the second inning Saturday but hurt himself while running to second base. He hyperextended his knee and, in the process, tweaked his lower hamstring. The good news is that the injury doesn’t appear to be serious, according to manager Terry Francona.
Also walking gingerly was catcher Victor Martinez, who fouled another ball off the same toe he hurt earlier in the season and fractured his left thumb after taking two foul balls off it. Martinez would like to avoid the disabled list and, along with Buchholz and Pedroia, will be checked out further by the Red Sox medical staff on Monday. It’s sure going to be a busy day for the team doctors.
Three games, three starters with fairly significant injuries. And Pedroia’s blow could be devastating.
How a team handles adversity always reveals who the true winners are. But it makes one wonder if all these injuries will be a little too much to overcome for a team already missing almost an entire outfield and ace Josh Beckett.
The hope is that with a few off days and a little shuffling, Buchholz can skip a start and avoid the disabled list … that Martinez is a fast healer and will also not be forced onto the DL … that the team can stay afloat until Pedroia returns.
Can the Red Sox handle the mounting injuries? As Francona said after the game, they are still winning right now, and that’s what’s important.
