BOSTON — Rick Porcello’s injury doesn’t sound serious.
The Red Sox placed Porcello on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a right triceps strain. The injury cropped up during Porcello’s last start against the Chicago White Sox, according to the pitcher, but he doesn’t expect to be sidelined long. The club is playing it safe.
“They want it to be something that’s completely gone, and not be anything that I need to worry about in my next start,” Porcello said after Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. “I feel like I can be ready in a couple of days, but we’ll take the time and get it completely out of there and get ready to finish strong.”
Porcello was removed in the third inning of his last start Wednesday after allowing six runs (five earned) on 10 hits, including two home runs. The removal wasn’t injury related at the time, but Porcello came away from the rough outing less than 100 percent, making Sunday’s move a sensible one.
“Felt like something I could work through in that game. Just started to get a little tight,” said Porcello, who began experiencing symptoms after the second inning of Wednesday’s start. “I felt like if I get back out there and warm up and loosen it up, it will be fine. Then the next day when I woke up, it really locked down. Every day since then it’s been gradually getting better and better.
“Each day has been solid improvement. But they want to put me on the DL just to get out in front of it and make sure it doesn’t evolve into something else trying to compensate for a tight triceps and turn into a shoulder or elbow issue.”
Porcello has been extremely durable throughout his career. The 26-year-old never went on the DL in his six seasons with the Detroit Tigers. He started at least 27 games in each.
This marks the first time Porcello has dealt with any issues related to his triceps. Porcello has been among the worst starters in Major League Baseball from a statistical standpoint this season, but his four-year, $82.5 million contract extension with Boston kicks in next season. The Red Sox understandably don’t want to take any chances, even if Porcello isn’t too concerned about the ailment.
“I’m just trying to get everything going, get everything in sync and get back and finish this season strong. That’s it,” Porcello said. “Really try not to think about anything that’s happened up to this point.
“There’s some things that I can learn from obviously, but to dwell on the struggles and whatnot this season is counterproductive.”
Porcello’s season went from bad to worse Sunday with him landing on the DL. But at least Porcello and the Red Sox are doing what they can to ensure it doesn’t end prematurely.
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
