Thoughts from Theo and Tito

Curt Schilling -- who will not be speaking to the media today -- was the first topic of conversation that greeted general manager Theo Epstein and manager Terry Francona when they sat down today for the first (of many) meetings with the media over the course of the next eight months.

"Curt's here in camp to work hard and rehab and do everything in his power to get back in a position to can contribute and help this team on the field," Epstein said. "What we've been through in the diagnosis process is really behind us. There were some bumps along the road because both parties care so much about the team and about his career and doing what's right. But now that we're here in spring training, it's pretty simple: He's here to rehab and get back in a position to help the club."

Epstein wouldn't hazard a timetable for Schilling, though he did mention that Schilling got his cortisone shot on Monday, instead of Friday, as was originally scheduled. They altered the date to line it up with Schilling's arrival in Fort Myers to begin his rehab.

Epstein said the club would not put fault with the team's medical staff, based on the physical Schilling took at the time he signed his $8 million contract. The team has also not determined that there was a single problem that led to the injury. Nothing specific, certainly.

"There's no black-and-white incident," Epstein said. "Just his shoulder didn't respond to his throwing regime.

"His shoulder was strong at the end of last year at the time of the contract. When it was time to start throwing it didn't respond. Now we are where we are with starting up a rehab."

Both Epstein and Francona spoke on other matters in their 20-minute medis session. We'll be back later with some more updates from the Fort.