ShareThisWhen Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona looks around his clubhouse, he sees plenty of bumps and bruises. And it's only May.
Injuries to key players are plentiful. Kevin Youkilis (abdominal muscle) has missed six games, and will be out a few more. Dustin Pedroia left Sunday night's game with a groin strain, something he's been playing through for a week. He will not play vs. the Angels in Anaheim on Tuesday, though he should be back in the lineup on Wednesday.
Outfielders J.D. Drew (sore quad) and Jacoby Ellsbury (hamstring) have also been hampered by injuries. David Ortiz is hitting a lowly .224 with no home runs and 14 RBI.
Pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka (shoulder strain) remains on the DL and is set to make one more rehab start at Class AAA Pawtucket before returning to the Boston rotation. Shortstop Jed Lowrie (wrist surgery) is on the DL and isn't expected back until around the All-Star break. Outfielder Mark Kotsay, also on the DL after having back surgery in January, recently suffered a setback in his rehab when he suffered a calf strain.
It's a virtual M*A*S*H unit in Boston.
"We're a little beat up, that's for sure," said Francona.
But he added: "I would rather win and be beat up than lose and be beat up."
And the Red Sox are winning -- 20-12, good for second place in the A.L. East -- as they begin their second, and final, West Coast road trip.
Boston has been receiving different contributions from different players, which is a big reason why they're surviving. Before his injury, Youkilis was hitting .393 with a .719 slugging percentage, including six homers and 20 RBI in 25 games.
Jason Bay has been on a tear of late, especially hitting in the cleanup spot in the order. He has a .324 average with 9 homers and 34 RBI.
"I'll tell you what, man. This team already has been unbelievable," said Ortiz. "We've been winning games and we have a couple of guys who have been carrying the team. 'Youk' is one of the best hitters we have right now, and having him out of the lineup right now is a big difference. Were still playing good games and still winning. Jason Bay has done a good job in his spot. Once we have everyone back, it will be back to normal."
Pedroia hardly ever misses games, so when he complains about an injury the club knows it's for real. He said after Sunday's game he would be ready to play on Tuesday, but Francona won't allow it. The reigning A.L. MVP said it's tough to sit, but its easier knowing the club is still winning.
"It's been tough, but we're finding a way to win games," said Pedroia. "That's the biggest thing and a lot of guys have stepped up. We'll continue to do that.
The one player the club was worried about at the beginning of the season was Mike Lowell. The veteran third baseman had hip surgery last November and his rehab was slow and deliberate.
But even though it's clear he's lost a step, he's been constant at the plate and in the field ... and he's stayed healthy. He's missed only one game this season, while posting a .312 average, 6 homers and 28 RBI.
"If he wasn't (healthy) we wouldn't have been able to (win as many games as we have)," said Francona. "He's always been reliable. That's the way he's built. He doesn't like days off -- he gets mad. We make him take one every once in a while because we think it's in his best interest, but he doesn't like it. It's good for us."
Francona has noticed that Lowell has been one of the first ones to arrive at the park because it takes him a little longer to get ready and warm. Even if he was hurting, he wouldn't let it effect his playing time.
"I don't think he would come to us. I would like to think we keep an eye on him enough to kind of meet him in the middle. I'm more than pleasantly surprised -- I hate to say surprised when someone does well. We're appreciative of how hard he's worked. This would not have happened without him getting after it pretty good. We know how hard he's worked."
The Red Sox have already faced some adversity in the early part of this season and once they return home, the schedule will lighten up a bit. Boston has already played two series each against the Yankees and Rays and when it returns from its next road trip, the Red Sox are finished traveling coast to coast.
(Contact Joe McDonald at jmcdonal@projo.com.)
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
Must credit The Providence Journal
