BOSTON — Ryan Kalish hasn't started in a game since Sept. 9
and played in a game since Sept. 16.
And now, don't expect to see any more appearances from Kalish for the rest of the season. Before Sunday's game against the Orioles, Red Sox manager Bobby
Valentine confirmed that — barring an emergency — the team would shut Kalish
down.
"I
would think unless an emergency arises I can't see him really playing," Valentine
said. "He hasn't swung in a long time. He might pinch run, he’s not even
throwing very much. So, he's here just in case of emergency."
Kalish is
still recovering from the after effects of shoulder and neck surgery from last
offseason. He started the season on the disabled list before getting activated
by the Pawtucket Red Sox in late-May.
Since then,
he's shuttled back and forth from Pawtucket on three occasions. But his shoulder
and neck continue to be sore, prompting the Red Sox to shut him down and give
him extended rest for next spring training.
"I
think he's going to be fine for spring training," Valnetine said. "I
think he'll be on a program during the winter time that will put his body and
his mind in the exact place it needs to be to be the kind of player we need for
next year."
The
injury stems from April 2011, when Kalish suffered a partially torn labrum and
neck injury making a diving catch for the PawSox. But even in the 24-year-old's
limited outings, Valentine took some positives.
"You know what I saw that I really liked, the best at-bats
I saw him have were tough at-bats," Valentine said. "He might have
been 0-for-3 in the game and not looked good, and he came up in his fourth at-bat
and really looked better. That's all I've seen. But they tell me I’ve never
seen the real Ryan Kalish. So, to be continued."
In 35 games with the Red Sox, Kalish hit .229 with no home runs
and five RBIs.
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