Williamson heads to Boston for MRI on elbow
Sox won't make decision on setup man until they get test results
Red Sox setup man Scott Williamson has been experiencing pain and discomfort in his right elbow and is flying back to Boston today to have it examined.
The team told the Globe’s Gordon Edes today that Williamson will undergo an MRI on the elbow for precautionary reasons and won’t make a determination on whether he’ll head to the disabled list until seeing the results.
Williamson, whose history of elbow problems dates back to Tommy John surgery in 2001, obviously won’t be available to pitch tonight in Tampa. It’s also highly doubtful he’ll be able to pitch in this weekend’s series against Toronto.
The 28-year-old righty has pitched just 16 innings this season and struggled in his last outing Tuesday, walking two and giving up a run in an inning of work. However, he hasn’t surrendered an earned run in 11 of 14 appearances this year.
Williamson isn’t the only Red Sox pitcher with aches and pains.
Byung Hyun Kim, who was demoted last week to Triple A Pawtucket, encountered another setback when he reported tightness in his lower back after he threw two innings Tuesday in Durham. Kim is expected to be examined by team medical director Bill Morgan after the PawSox return home tomorrow.
The Globe’s Gordon Edes and Bob Hohler contributed to this report. 