Mirabelli might have a lot on his plate now
Doug Mirabelli came to Fenway Park prepared to catch Jason Johnson, the righthander who had been called up from Pawtucket to pitch last night against the Indians. But Mirabelli, known in these parts as Tim Wakefield's personal catcher, soon learned that he may be getting a lot more work in the next month or so.
Jason Varitek had to come out of Monday night's game with a knee injury, and the Red Sox said last night that he has partially torn meniscus cartilage in his left knee and will have arthroscopic surgery tomorrow.
``I was actually scheduled to play before he came out of the game, so I was prepared to play, regardless," said Mirabelli.
The Sox also purchased the contract of catcher Ken Huckaby from Pawtucket, but unless they go out and get another catcher, Mirabelli could be called on to manage an injury-riddled pitching staff that no doubt will be tested in the dog days of August.
``It's something that, obviously, the team didn't want to happen," said Mirabelli, ``but you can't change that and I'm excited for the opportunity to go out there and play.
``They haven't been specific about what exactly they're going to do yet, but I'm fully prepared to play every day.
``It's just a matter of getting back there and catching and sitting down with them prior to starts. I've caught Curt Schilling, I've caught Josh Beckett, and so Wake isn't the only guy I've ever caught. I've paid attention enough during the games even when I'm not playing to have enough of a feel for what they like to do.
``Injuries are a part of this game, and it's tough on the team, no doubt about it. We've got some big guns out right now in Trot and Jason, as far as everyday guys, let alone with our starting rotation. That's why they build this team, for the bench guys to be able to step up and fill in until the big guys can get back."
Before Huckaby arrived from Pawtucket in time for last night's game, the matter of Mirabelli's backup was addressed when manager Terry Francona conducted an impromptu clubhouse competition between infielders Mike Lowell and Alex Cora for the role of emergency catcher.
``It was a blowout," reported Lowell, who seemed to believe he impressed Francona with his catcher's build more than anything else. ``I mean, it was like Carl Lewis vs. Doug Mirabelli [in a footrace].
``I really hope Doug plays nine innings, because, although I'm quite willing to take the reins, I'm quite terrified of [Jonathan] Papelbon crossing me up, because I might be dead.
``I might be the first catcher who dies in action."
Though he didn't have to get behind the plate, Lowell didn't escape unscathed. He fouled a ball off his right ankle in the eighth and left with a contusion.
Lowell said he actually donned shin guards twice last year with the Marlins, just as a precaution.
``But the last official time I caught was my freshman year of high school, which was just 14 years ago," he said. ``It should be just like riding a bike."
That scenario was averted when the Sox called up Huckaby, who sat through Pawtucket's 4-2 victory over Buffalo in sauna-like conditions at McCoy Stadium and got word shortly after the game that he was being summoned to Boston.
Asked if he encountered rush-hour traffic, Huckaby said, ``Oh yeah. All the way up from 95. When I merged with 93, I fought it all the way in. Then I had bad directions."
Huckaby missed his Fenway exit on Storrow Drive and wound up getting swept along all the way to Harvard Square across the river.
But it was a minor detour in comparison to the major obstacle he had to hurdle in spring training, when he injured his left knee during batting practice for the team's first exhibition game against the Twins in March.
``It feels good to finally get up here," said Huckaby. ``It took a little longer, but, you know, that's the way the game has always been for a player like me.
``I'm not going to light you up with the bat, but I've always known that I can catch -- I can catch and throw. It's just nice to be able to come up here and, hopefully, get an opportunity to do that."
