Francona calls Clement's injury 'extensive'

Though the Red Sox did not release a statement on the outcome of pitcher Matt Clement's exploratory shoulder surgery yesterday -- the team plans to do so today -- manager Terry Francona said in his postgame press conference that there was ``significant damage" to the area.

``I think it was a little more extensive than we had hoped for, but I'll let Dr. [Thomas] Gill give you the particulars," Francona said.

Red Sox vice president of media relations John Blake later said that assessment was premature and, because of patient privacy laws, the team could not yet give a more thorough recounting of the operation.

Clement, whose shoulder strain has not allowed him to take the mound since June 14, underwent surgery in Birmingham, Ala., performed by orthopedist James Andrews. The surgery was intended to finally determine the extent of Clement's injuries, which caused him to stop a bullpen session Friday after throwing a half-dozen pitches.

The age difference between project Wily Mo Peña and supposed ace Josh Beckett is just more than a year and a half. Peña made his major league debut in 2002. Beckett made his in 2001. That's not to compare the two but more to illustrate the point that crossed the lips of both Francona and third baseman Mike Lowell: Give Beckett a break. He's 26.

Not only that, but Beckett has had to endure the challenge of switching from the Triple A National League to the American League.

``I think last year he made big strides maturitywise," Lowell said of Beckett, who already has a career-best 16 wins and will try to make it 17 in his final start of the season tonight against the Devil Rays. ``I mean, he's still so young. He did so well on such a big stage at such a young age that everyone thought that's just going to be how it was from here on out.

``I think he's still learning, too. I think he's maturing. I think he's knowing how to handle all the aspects of the game, not just preparing for his pitching, but dealing with the media and dealing with being a public figure.

``I'm excited for him for next year."

He should be, if Beckett's recent results are an indication. After once being on pace to break every record regarding home runs given up by a starting pitcher, Beckett has allowed just two in his past six starts, a marked improvement on the 32 in 26 games he had allowed at one point. And that includes arguably his best start as a member of the Red Sox: an eight-inning, six-hit, no-run mastery of the Twins last Thursday.

``He stayed under control and in his delivery the whole game," Francona said. ``He didn't try to amp up and start throwing it by people. He stayed with his movement and 93, 94, and located. That was good. I went back and looked at some of the pitches the next day. Looked better.

``He's still [26] years old and he's learned a lot and he's a hard worker. He's managed that blister. He's going to throw 200 innings. I think that was one of his goals. I think he's accomplished a lot.

``I think next year he'd like to have a lower ERA. I think we all would like for that to happen. I think it will."

Manny Ramírez was originally in last night's lineup, for what would have been his first start since Sept. 9. Francona said he met with the left fielder during his workout, at which time Ramírez said he would be able to play. About an hour later, Ramírez was out. ``He said he's just got some hesitancy in there," Francona said. ``He's kind of shooting for Friday. On one hand, I appreciate him wanting to play the last three games of the year. On the other hand, we've gotten to the last three games of the year without playing him. I don't know if that's smart or not, so we'll see." Ramírez added later, to no one in particular in the clubhouse, ``You guys got the story? Get out." . . . Coco Crisp had a pin inserted in his left index finger Monday. Crisp, who fractured the finger in Baltimore in the second series of the season, refractured it over the course of the season. Francona reported that the surgery went well, though he added that Gill is not sure whether the pin will stay in or have to be removed. ``They stabilized the area, and I don't think they feel like it's going to interrupt his winter a whole heck of a lot as he gets going and preparing for spring training," Francona said . . . Kevin Youkilis scored his 100th run of the season in the fourth inning, a career high . . . The team finalized most of the pitching rotation for this weekend's final series against Baltimore. Julian Tavarez will pitch Friday and Tim Wakefield Saturday. For Sunday, Francona said it would be either Devern Hansack, Kason Gabbard, or Kyle Snyder.

David Ortiz's 52d home run ball, like his 50th, will be put up for auction on mlb.com. The auction will start at 11 a.m. today and continue until 7 p.m. Friday; the auction will benefit the same causes as the first, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the Plaza de la Salud Hospital de Ninos . . . Schilling is on a long list of stars to compete in ``Celebrity Jeopardy" on episodes that will be aired between Nov. 8 and 21. Each celebrity earns at least $25,000 for the charity of their choice, with $50,000 going to the winner of each show . . . Nanci Foxx Canaday, the daughter of Jimmie Foxx, and Linda Ruth Tosetti, the granddaughter of Babe Ruth, participated in a pregame ceremony honoring Ortiz for his home run achievements this season. Ortiz hit No. 54 in the third inning.

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