BOSTON — Red Sox reliever Bobby Jenks was diagnosed with a small pulmonary embolism, manager Terry Francona said.
The condition is one that sees a blood clot move into the lungs, and it can be life-threatening. Fortunately for Jenks, it was caught early enough and was small enough in nature that he should recover OK.
Jenks, who was declared out for the year last week, was being examined for persistent back pain when the embolism was discovered. His recovery from the back issues will now be delayed, but for obvious reasons.
"That's probably going to slow down efforts to look at his back, but in a hurry, the back becomes secondary," Francona said. "Bobby's doing fine, he's on the proper medication, he’s doing great."
Francona said that Jenks may need surgery or some kind of procedure to correct his back, but that dealing with the embolism "is going to take priority now."
Jenks' first season in Boston saw him hit the disabled list three times, the last time on July 16. He attempted to return, but never could find any momentum for one reason or another. The embolism was a recent development, Francona said.
The right-hander was 2-2 with a 6.32 ERA in 19 games out of the bullpen this year.
