Sources: Schilling out until at least All-Star break
Seen in the crowd at the Celtics-Wizards game at the TD Banknorth Garden on Jan. 14 was Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, seated with his wife Shonda as they stand during the National Anthem.
(Globe Staff Photo / Jim Davis)Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling will not have shoulder surgery for what is believed to be a partial tear of his rotator cuff, despite the recommendation of the doctor who operated on the shoulder in 1995, and will follow the more conservative course prescribed by Sox medical director Thomas Gill after the club and player agreed to submit to yesterday's recommendation by an outside medical expert brought in to break the impasse.
Even without surgery, the 41-year-old Schilling is not expected to be ready to pitch until at least the All-Star break, according to several sources familiar with his condition.
The Sox refrained from comment until last night, when they issued this brief statement: "Curt Schilling was examined by Red Sox doctors in January after he reported feeling right shoulder discomfort. Curt has started a program of rest, rehabilitation, and shoulder strengthening in an attempt to return to pitching."
Schilling passed a physical before he signed a one-year, $8 million contract last November. Manager Terry Francona, at the baseball writers' dinner Jan. 17, said he hadn't seen Schilling in a while, but heard he was working out and making an effort to collect on the weight clauses in his contract.
But the pitcher experienced a recurrence of the shoulder discomfort that sidelined him for seven weeks last summer. In addition to seeing Gill, Schilling flew to Delaware Jan. 28 to see Dr. Craig Morgan, who repaired his shoulder when he was with the Phillies in 1995. Although Gill recommended rest and rehabilitation, much like the course of treatment followed by former Sox pitcher Pedro Martínez in the 2001 season, Morgan strongly urged surgery for Schilling, which conceivably could have ended his career.
According to one of the sources, the Sox raised the possibility that Schilling would forfeit his contract if he proceeded to have surgery without their permission, and there were indications the dispute has led to strained feelings between the parties.
There is a provision contained in an attachment to the new collective bargaining agreement in which the club and player ask for a third medical expert to intervene. In this case, the parties turned to Dr. David Altchek, the medical director of the New York Mets, who sided with the club, according to one of the sources.
Schilling was being counted upon to take a regular turn in the rotation. The leading candidate to take his place is rookie Clay Buchholz, who would join Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jon Lester, and Tim Wakefield. Swingman Julian Tavarez began last season in the rotation and is another candidate.
But without Schilling, the Sox rotation is lacking in depth, especially in light of the fact that Wakefield, who turns 42 in August, missed the playoffs because of discomfort in the back of his shoulder. Beckett also spent time on the disabled list with an avulsion on his right middle finger. Last season, the Sox used nine starting pitchers after being in double digits in 2005 (10) and 2006 (14). Schilling's absence raises the possibility the Sox could add another starter through either free agency or a trade, perhaps using center fielder Coco Crisp as a bargaining chip.
Morgan, citing Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act regulations, referred all questions to Schilling, who when reached via e-mail responded, "I cannot comment right now on any of this, sorry!"
The normally expansive Schilling did not address the situation on his website. The last entry posted on 38pitches.com was an offering of congratulations to Senator John McCain, Schilling's choice for president.
But one Schilling confidant said last night the pitcher is distressed by the conflicting medical advice, and torn about how to proceed.
Until last night's statement, the only word coming from the Sox was an e-mailed no comment from general manager Theo Epstein.
Michael Weiner, a lawyer for the players' union, said he became aware of the dispute between the parties in the last few days.
"We've been contacted by Curt and his representatives," Weiner said. "We see no basis for the Red Sox to take any actions against Curt."
Schilling, who turned 41 Nov. 14, went on the DL June 22 (retroactive to June 19) after a disastrous outing in Atlanta June 18 in which his velocity registered in the low 80s and he allowed six runs on 10 hits over 4 1/3 innings against the Braves. He was sidelined until Aug. 6, and upon his return acknowledged he had altered his approach, becoming more of a finesse pitcher than the power pitcher he'd been most of his career.
While noting the transition was a work in progress, Schilling had some success in his return, posting a 3-4 record and a 3.34 ERA from that point. He also was 3-0 in the postseason, winning the clinching game of the AL Division Series against the Angels and rebounding from a Game 2 shellacking by the Indians to win Game 6 of the AL Championship Series.
Schilling enters this season ranked eighth in wins among active pitchers with 216, fourth in strikeouts with 3,116, and ninth in innings with 3,261.
After signaling he might not be coming back to the Sox after the season, sending letters of farewell to some teammates, Schilling elected to take less money to return, signing a one-year deal for $8 million, with an additional $3 million in weight-clause incentives. He has said this definitely will be his last season.
Amalie Benjamin of the Globe staff contributed to this report; Gordon Edes can be reached at edes@globe.com.
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