Comments were 'doctored'
Schilling: NY not an option
CLEVELAND - When Curt Schilling got up yesterday in Cleveland, he was surprised to hear of the brouhaha involving him back in Boston. He said he had no idea that his doctor, Craig Morgan, had gone on WEEI radio and said that Schilling might be interested in pitching for the Yankees next season.
"It's a non-issue," Schilling said. "It really never should have even unfortunately been a discussion. From what I understand, it was a big deal. I mean, I had no idea. I woke up and thought they were kidding.
"Only in Boston."
Schilling wasn't all that interested in talking about the comments, though he did tell WEEI later in the morning that signing with the Yankees was "not an option."
On the radio, Morgan had said, "He called me when he was angry about a month ago and was having recurrent pain, and said, 'Listen, I want to pitch again next year,' and [would consider] the possibility of the [Yankees] option. He didn't say he was going to do it, he didn't do any of that. I think it was, in part, of anger."
Aside from his brief reaction to Morgan's comments, Schilling didn't want to discuss the issue. He did, however, discuss his rehab.
Asked whether there was anything new to report on his arm trouble, he said, "Nothing. Still showing up in the morning, doing my rehab, waiting to be told I can throw. The right people have to be OK with giving me the OK to do it.
"We're in mid-April right now and if you factor out the steps needed to get back into just throwing a bullpen, rehab games to games, we're starting to push it a little bit. It's kind of one of those things that kind of has to happen here pretty soon."
That doesn't seem likely. Or, at least, the improvement toward that end isn't there.
"It's completely contingent on him passing those milestones," manager Terry Francona said. "All I know is he's not there yet.
"Every day I get a report that his strength is improving, or at least when they measure it. I don't think they think he's ready to do it. He's where he needs to be. There are certain areas that they're pretty adamant he needs to be, and he's not there yet."
Cora headed to DL
The Sox will place Alex Cora on the disabled list today with an elbow injury he incurred last Thursday. Cora was taking ground balls at third base before the game against the Tigers when he felt a twinge. He hasn't played since then, and concern over the injury has prompted the Red Sox to order an MRI, which he will take in the next couple of days.The Sox did not say who would be placed on the roster, but they are thin on infielders, with Mike Lowell already on the DL. Joe Thurston and Keith Ginter are the two veteran infielders currently in Pawtucket.
"I think it's going like we thought it would, wanted to let him go throw today in case it was great," Francona said. "But for his peace of mind, it's important to get this MRI, then when he gets back, he'll be OK.
"I think he wants to fight it, but watching him, sometimes we've got to step in and not let a guy hurt himself."
Cora, who seemed surprised at the decision when asked by media after the game, said he was "dying to play," but didn't want to reinjure himself, adding a reminder that he's 32 years old.
"Better than three days ago, but not where I want to be," Cora said. "If I'm not 100 percent and I'm not going to play, why be here?"
Combing the annals
The only other Red Sox player to have three RBIs in his major league debut was Merl Combs, who did it Sept. 12, 1947. The bad news for Jed Lowrie, who accomplished the feat last night? Combs had just 22 RBIs the rest of his career . . . The Red Sox are 4-0 in road games in the United States, 1-4 in road games outside the US . . . Jason Varitek's last pinch-hit home run came June 12, 2003, against St. Louis's Cal Eldred . . . Julio Lugo had his first three-hit game of the season, all singles, including one on a bunt. He did roll his ankle trying to make a play on Asdrubal Cabrera's ground ball in the sixth but stayed in the game . . . Kevin Youkilis went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. He has eight RBIs in his last six games. Nine of his 20 hits have gone for extra bases.Cash may be needed
With the Sox playing 20 games in 20 days, Kevin Cash may get a non-Tim Wakefield start at some point. It would be less a factor of matchups, and more a factor of the best time to rest Varitek . . . Coco Crisp, David Ortiz, and DeMarlo Hale all wore No. 42 to celebrate the anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in baseball . . . J.D. Drew sat yesterday, just to get a rest with all the travel. Jacoby Ellsbury replaced him in right field . . . Bartolo Colon is close to being able to throw again, as he recovers from an oblique strain . . . Francona reported that the swelling in Lowell's thumb has gone down significantly, but there hasn't been progression beyond that . . . After giving up the game-winning home run to Manny Ramírez Monday, Indians closer Joe Borowski was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained triceps. Tom Mastny was recalled from Triple A to replace him on the roster . . . Unless the teams meet in the playoffs, last night was the final game of the season in Cleveland for the Sox.