3:33pm: Thornburg has a shoulder impingement, according to Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe. Thornburg won’t throw for another 10 days, and Abraham notes that this injury could sideline him for a month (Twitter link).
9:59am: Red Sox righty Tyler Thornburg is likely to open the season on the disabled list after an “upper right trapezius spasm” prevented him from taking the mound yesterday, as Ian Browne of MLB.com was among those to report on Twitter.
It’s not clear that the trap issue is a significant one; far from it, in fact. But he will go for an MRI, per Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald (via Twitter). Even if it turns out to be a blip, though, a DL stint seems the likely result. Thornburg has been slowed throughout camp as his shoulder strength has failed to catch up to speed.
With the anticipated absence from Thornburg, and without a clear indication to when he might be able to return, the back of the Boston relief corps seems noticeably less potent than had been expected. Still, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski says he believes there’s sufficient depth on hand, as Mastrodonato reports.
“Well, I think we’re fine,” Dombrowski said. “Some guys have to step up is what it comes down to. You go through these type of things in any particular year. I’ve done it every year in my career.”
With uncertainty also best describing the current status of key lefty David Price, though, Boston’s pitching depth chart will be tested early. The club did announce that it sent veteran righty Kyle Kendrick to minor-league camp this morning, which suggests Drew Pomeranz will be ready to join the rotation. But it still seems possible the organization will look to make a depth move of some kind with roster churn happening around the league.
gronk
Why do these late inning relievers seem to fall apart whenever they get traded to Boston?
ThePriceWasRight
different arm strengthening routine than the majority of clubs.
As Dombrowski hinted indirectly, time for Joe Kelly to step up
vinscully16
Carson Smith revisited.
Connorsoxfan
Yup… Who did we even give up for Smith?
Lisbon67
Aro and miley for smith and elias
B-Strong
Still a win in my book even if Smith never pans out.
Connorsoxfan
If Smith pitches it’s a win. He could suck and it’s still a win for me.
CubanRaftRider
Sox seem to like backend bullpen acquisitions like Andrew Bailey, Joel Hanrahan, Carson Smith, and now Thornburg. Obviously too early to call, but Dombrowski gave up a solid 3B in Shaw and middle infield prospect Dubon to acquire this guy.
crazysull
Wade Miley so I think we will win that trade since I think Smith will come back and return to his old self but I bet this means that Robby Scott makes the team out of spring training along with Brian Johnson to fill in for Price
ghost of harambe
Johnson won’t make the roster and scott seems like he could be a decent player
dlevin11
Johnson not ready for the Show right now but could improve with Pawsox
SamFuldsFive
All that talk about Kendrick and he doesn’t even make the team lol
blueblood1217
I was thinking the same thing, what’s that about
SuperSinker
Teams probably strong arming Dombrowski re: starters in trade talks, sensing desperation from BOS. So Boston drums up some puff pieces on Kendrick in response. Voila.
bastros88
kyle kendrick probably deserved to make the team, he had a very solid spring training
B-Strong
Totally agree. All that talk about Erod and Pom competing for the 5th spot and then theyre automatically in after Price gets hurt even though Pom has had injury concerns AGAIN this spring and Kendricks been killing it this spring. Theyd be better off keeping Kendrick on the roster for long relief or spot starts and optioning someone else off to AAA or better yet creating a spot by releasing Abad.
crazysull
That’s why I suggested Johnson since Kendrick got sent down. And they could use another lefty to replace Price
Tiger_diesel92
Anyone noticing any these pitchers from brewers are getting hurt a lot and made bank on prospects similar to the prades
hamelin4mvp
I was going to give you a hard time for probably including Will Smith into this, but he only pitched 18 innings for the Giants last year. So, yeah, maybe.
Did Jeremy Jeffress get hurt with Rangers last year, or did he just get that DWI?
Tiger_diesel92
I don’t know. But these relievers have this 3 year window of posting good numbers lately…like after it they get hurt so much
KingSall77
Could Thornburg be a comparison to Joel Hanrahan? Maybe this will end up being a bust for the Red Sox too.