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Jacoby Ellsbury, who returned to the leadoff spot yesterday, slams his bat in frustration after popping out in the ninth. (Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press) |
Red Sox Notebook
Wakefield can't shoulder load
Knuckleballer will head to 15-day DL
CHICAGO - Because of a recurrence of the tightness in the back of his right shoulder that kept him out of the World Series last season, Tim Wakefield won't make his scheduled start tomorrow and will be placed on the 15-day disabled list.
Wakefield, who began to feel stiffness in the shoulder during his last start Wednesday in Kansas City, was sent back to Boston yesterday, where he will be examined by Dr. Thomas Gill today. He will receive a cortisone shot, as well, and the hope is that he will miss just two starts. Wakefield had difficulty during his side session Saturday, leading to the decision to place him on the DL.
"He was getting stiffer and stiffer as the game progressed," manager Terry Francona said. "It was getting harder to get loose. He was still throwing great, which has been kind of hard . . . hard to put it together because he's been so effective."
When Wakefield arrived in spring training, neither he nor pitching coach John Farrell anticipated further problems with the shoulder. The question is whether Wakefield will be healthy enough to return when he is eligible to come off the DL.
"His strength is good," Francona said. "We're trying to not have this thing get to a point where it did last year. We kind of got in no-man's land there. Missing two starts is not what we're shooting for, but pitching half-speed for the last 10 isn't either."
Last season, after pitching against the Indians in the American League Championship Series, Wakefield awoke Oct. 17 unable to lift off the covers of his bed with his right arm. The superior labral anterior posterior tear in his labrum was too inflamed for him to continue to pitch, which is why he was kept off the World Series roster.
The Red Sox have not announced a starter for tomorrow's game against the Rangers.
While Charlie Zink and David Pauley - who have both had tremendous seasons for Pawtucket - likely will be unavailable, having started Friday and Saturday, there are other choices. Michael Bowden is scheduled to pitch today for the PawSox, with Devern Hansack set for tomorrow, making them both viable options.
Youkilis scratched
Though he was in the original lineup, Kevin Youkilis was scratched with an impingement in his left shoulder. Youkilis said the injury occurred when he was lifting, then exacerbated on a swing and diving for a ball.
"It's basically just added up," said Youkilis. "It's been bothering me for like four days now. It didn't get better [Saturday], it got a little worse. So I just needed a day to try to calm it down a little bit. Hopefully I'll be ready [today]."
Youkilis is also working through a hand injury suffered when he was hit by a pitch from Luke Hochevar Wednesday. He was replaced at first base by Sean Casey, and in the cleanup spot by J.D. Drew.
Since lefty John Danks is scheduled to pitch for the White Sox tonight, Francona is hoping Youkilis will be available.
"Just bothering him," Francona said. "Just need to let it settle down."
Masterful work
Justin Masterson had a performance yesterday reminiscent of his first relief appearance for the Red Sox. In that game, Masterson threw 2 2/3 scoreless and hitless innings at Seattle July 23. Yesterday, Masterson threw 2 2/3 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out five. "My goal was to keep the game within range," Masterson said. "I'm feeling comfortable pitching. Just happy to get out there when it's my day. What's been nice is I've been able to start to feel a lot more comfortable, just get some control of the pitches. Some good defensive plays, Jed [Lowrie] and Mike [ Lowell]. It makes it fun." . . . With Youkilis out, Jacoby Ellsbury returned to the leadoff spot. He went hitless after three straight multihit games. He had been 8 for 12 with five runs and five RBIs in his previous three games . . . Bartolo Colon pitched yesterday for Pawtucket as he continues his rehab. Colon, who didn't last a full inning in his first appearance, went three innings yesterday. He gave up three hits and struck out three, allowing no walks or runs. He threw 34 pitches, 27 strikes . . . Alex Cora started in place of Lowrie at shortstop, with Lowrie's foot sore. Lowrie was hit on the left foot by a pitch from Bobby Jenks Friday, then hit a ball off his foot Saturday. Lowrie pinch hit for Cora in the sixth inning and is expected to play tonight . . . With the 6-5 loss, the Red Sox have extended their franchise record streak of losses in one-run road games to 16 . . . Dustin Pedroia continued his 10-game hitting streak and his 28-game road hitting streak. Tris Speaker holds the club record with a 32-game road hitting streak . . . Lowell hit his first home run since July 4 and had his first RBI since July 27. Both his last home run and his last RBI came against the Yankees. He also had his first two-error game since April 28, 2007.
Amalie Benjamin can be reached at abenjamin@globe.com. 
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