"For me personally, I've been very fortunate with my health," Youkilis said after the Red Sox' 3-1 win over Cleveland on Tuesday night. "I can't get too upset because I've been fortunate. I got to take a step back. For me, I'll be able to play, just not now."
Youkilis was placed on the 15-day disabled list earlier Tuesday with a tear in a muscle on his thumb. He said he has felt pain there since the recent 10-game road trip, but it became too severe after his first at-bat Monday.
The one frightening aspect of the injury lies in the fact that the doctors have never seen it before.
"Zero athletes have has this that they know of," Youkilis said.
Youkilis will know within the next few days how long he will be sidelined. Surgery would likely end his season, but it is a simple procedure that won't hurt him for 2011.
"Hopefully that's the last-case scenario, but it won't affect me down the road," he said.
