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Your Morning Dump...That's it for Hanrahan

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

Red Sox closer Joel Hanrahan confirmed that he will have season-ending surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon muscle in his right arm. He's also not out of the woods for possible Tommy John surgery, either.

Dr. James Andrews will perform the surgery. It will be determined then if Hanrahan also needs Tommy John surgery for his ulnar collateral ligament. The recovery time is about 6-9 months for the flexor surgery. Tommy John surgery would mean a year away.

"Initially, I thought there might be a decision to make, then after talking with him (Andrews), he basically walked in, looked at my arm, touched it and said it really wasn't a decision. I think the flexor pretty much tore right off the bone. So it wasn't really a decision, it was just a matter of what kind of surgery it was going to be and as of now, it's going to be the flexor," Hanrahan said.

"When he gets in there and takes a look, it could be worse, it could be not as bad, but that's kind of where we're at right now."

Globe: Joel Hanrahan out for season

Well folks, we may have seen the last of Joel Hanrahan in a Red Sox uniform. Hanrahan will be a free-agent after the 2013 season. The Sox may want to bring him back, but will he be damaged goods? Will that be an injury that will be an issue in the future?

The Sox are again without a closer, which is a prreeettyyy important position to have a healthy arm. Junichi Tazawa isn't going to be the guy...clearly.

The Sox are running low on options. Making a trade would wear their offense thin. The bullpen needs the help, so there is no taking away from there. Don't even think about touching the starting rotation.

Andrew Bailey's biceps better heal quickly, but he'll probably end up on the DL again. The Sox are screwed.

Related: Herald: Notebook: Joel Hanrahan's year ends |

The rest of the links:

Herald: Sox can't finish up | Chamberlain scolds Rivera before Yankees game | AL roundup: Johnson sent back to Triple-A after loss to Twins | Hot streaks | Best of show | Ortiz hit list | Pure and simple: Ortiz is a hitting machine | WEEI: David Ortiz to Dan Shaughnessy: 'Look who it is' | Red Sox lineup: Ortiz out, Mike Napoli at designated hitter | ESPN Boston: Sox struggling in RISP situations | Buehrle a bit better than Buchholz | Middlebrooks diary: Battling stumps

Your Morning Dump...Where Hanrahan is looking for a second opinion

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

Now three days after walking off the mound with a strained right forearm, closer Joel Hanrahan continues to feel so much soreness that he’s having trouble gripping a baseball.

And so the Red Sox are seeking the opinions of two noted orthopedic surgeons.

The images from Hanrahan’s MRI exam have been sent to Dr. James Andrews and Dr. David Altchek. Based on the findings of the Sox’ medical staff, the MRI didn’t indicate structural damage to the elbow but confirmed a strain of the flexor mass, where the tendon meets the joint.

According to Hanrahan, there’s some question over whether the damaged tendon has been protecting the ligament as it’s supposed to. If the ligament has been affected, surgery may be a possibility, although the Sox hope that is an extreme scenario.

“That’s one of the things they’re looking at, to see how that ligament looks,” Hanrahan said. “I think you could probably go through this clubhouse and look at everybody’s ligament and it’s not going to be like a 12-year-old’s ligament. So that’s one thing they’ll look at, to see if that ligament has been compromised.”

The Red Sox expect to hear from Andrews and Altchek today. In the meantime, Hanrahan has been icing his arm and riding the exercise bike.

Herald: Notebook: Joel Hanrahan seeks second opinions

We all knew there would be a point in the season when Andrew Bailey would miss some time due to injury. Possibly extended time. And, that has happened.

Joel Hanrahan sucked a bit, missed some time, Andrew Bailey impressed, Hanrahan returned to eventually get his job back, now Junichi Tazawa is the man in the 9th inning. No one expected this situation.

Now Dr. James Andrews is in the picture, even though he is the best in the biz, we shouldn't expect a good outcome in terms of a timely return. This injury is worse than initially thought and the Sox are down both of their closers.

I guess losing 2 closers doesn't matter much because we haven't seen many save situations lately. This team is looking awful.

Related: Globe: Hanrahan seeking a second opinion | WEEI: Dr. James Andrews looking at Joel Hanrahan's arm images |

On Page 2, Did Adrian Gonzalez make David Ortiz a better hitter?

Ace Ticket sign no match for Hanrahan fastball

Cool.

Now if Hanrahan could only stay healthy and get guys out. 

(Courtesy Deadspin)

Your Morning Dump...where the Sox have no closer

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

I wanted to write about Stephen Drew's fantastic night at the plate and his "coming out" party for the Boston Red Sox. However the Red Sox now stare at a major issue, where they have no closer.

Against all odds, from an early deficit to losing a one-run lead in the ninth inning, the Red Sox found a way to close out the Minnesota Twins in an 11-inning marathon last night at Fenway Park.

Now, the Sox must find a new closer.

Hours after Andrew Bailey went on the disabled list with inflammation in his right biceps, Joel Hanrahan walked off the mound in the ninth inning of an interminable 6-5 victory over the Twins with what the Red Sox have diagnosed as a strained right forearm that sounded even more ominous based on the right-hander’s description of what occurred.

Hanrahan traced the injury to a “pull” that he felt on a pitch that went to the backstop early in the ninth. After a few more pitches, Hanrahan thought the sensation had subsided, but after walking Josh Willingham, he tried throwing to first base.

“I got to the point where I tried to make a pickoff (throw) to first, and the ball barely got there,” Hanrahan said. “I threw one more, and I just couldn’t take it any more.”

Hanrahan will undergo an MRI exam today to determine the severity of the injury. But the Sox already are planning on life without both of their closers.

Herald: Joel Hanrahan hurt in Red Sox 11-inning win

It's pretty amazing that the Red Sox lost two legit closers in less than a week. There's a chance that Hanrahan could be back, but all signs are pointing that he will head to the DL, especially since it's dealing with it's throwing arm.

If all goes well with Bailey during his recovery, he should be on track to return next week. But given his injury history, one can't help but be worried about his situation.

In the meantime, which pitcher will John Farrell hand the ball to in the ninth-inning to close out games?

The first obvious candidate is Koji Uehara. For the most part, he has been the anchor of the back of the bullpen and has a brief history closing out games. However, Farrell has been cautious in using Uehara too much. He's 38-years-old and the Red Sox can't burn him out. Plus, do you really want to lose Uehara in that nearly flawless eighth-inning setup role?

Another candidate is Junichi Tazawa, who has been solid thus far. He's much younger and has a better staminia than Uehara. Tazawa has has a range of pitches that could be lethal to batters in the ninth...just as long as he can maintain control of that nasty sinker.

Like I said, this could be a case where the Red Sox may have to simply do some patch-work until Bailey returns next week. Let's hope he's on track to return then.

Rest of the links - Globe: Drew's double in the 11th gives Red Sox win over Twins | Herald: Clay Buchholz controversy still spinning | Herald: Stephen Drew finally connects with rhythm at plate | Herald: Dustin Pedroia breaks out the power | CSNNE.com: Drew does work at the plate in Sox win | Projo: With a month to go before the June draft, it's crunch time for prospects, too

 

 

 

Recap: Sox win weird one in Toronto, 3-1

Baseball can be a weird game, and tonight's 3-1 Red Sox win over the Blue Jays was just that. Don't let the low score fool you: The teams combined for 15 walks, added to a combined 13 hits made for a lot of stranded runners. And some pretty bad baseball to watch.

The Sox offense was pedestrian beyond their proficiency for taking pitches. Jonny Gomes was the lone Boston player to have two hits, and while three players doubled, there weren't the home run pyrotechnics we've gotten accustomed to at the Rogers Centre.

Ryan Dempster got the win, spreading four hits and three walks across six innings, yielding just one run. He only struck out four, but he got the job done. The Sox bullpen -- while not perfect -- held the fort to secure the win. David Ross was busy behind the plate, getting hit with balls, once appearing to strain his elbow trying to hold onto a pitch that was way outside, and having to block or retrieve wild pitches from Dempster and a couple of relievers (notably Andrew Miller). In addition to his defensive prowess, Ross walked three times. Good player.

Two big storylines emerged during the game. The first was the growing accusations of Red Sox pitching using some sort of foreign substance. It began earlier today with Blue Jays analyst Dirk Hayhurst noticing a sheen (that he suggested could be Crisco) on Clay Buchholz's left arm, and continued with Jack Morris, also a Toronto commentator, saying the same. Tonight rumors persisted on Twitter that during this game Morris was making the same accusations of Junichi Tazawa on the Blue Jays' broadcast.

Naturally, NESN didn't say anything about that (although Remy was pretty outraged about the Buchholz situation). As an amateur, I thought nothing looked off. The arms of Blue Jays reliever Esmil Rogers looked just as shiny to me, as one example. Also, as the Buchholz rumors developed throughout the day, wouldn't you have to assume you'll be under a microscope today? I have trouble believing Tazawa was up to anything. We'll see.

One thing I'm fairly confident of: Toronto is emerging as this year's enemy for the Sox. We always have the Yankees rivalry, of course, but every year there seems to be one other team that just gets under Boston's skin. I don't know if it's the Farrell stuff, or just the timing of playing them a lot early while they're struggling, but it seems like we've had a lot of drama (and a lot of whining from Toronto). I wouldn't be shocked to see some sort of brawl later in the season if we find accusations build into anything else.

The other big storyline: Joel Hanrahan came on to get the save in a two-run game in the 9th. And it's not that Andrew Bailey has been overused either. All broadcasters appeared confused and as I write this, Tom Caron and Eck don't have answers. I'd imagine we'll have some idea after Farrell's postgame, and maybe some of the beat guys will find out more over night. I was relatively terrified at first, but since it worked out -- Hanrahan gave up a single, but then retired the rest of the Blue Jays hitters -- I'm happy that Farrell took the risk. We need to build up his confidence, and throwing him against a struggling Toronto club was a good way to do that.

Box score

Your Morning Dump...where Hanrahan returns, Bailey ousted?

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

With Daniel Bard being sent back down to Double-A Portland, Joel Hanrahan is set to be activated prior to tonight's game in Toronto. However, the question remains: should Andrew Bailey be removed and Hanrahan inserted back into the closer's role?

Hanrahan, who made two rehab appearances for Triple-A Pawtucket, is expected to be activated from the DL on Tuesday for the start of a three-game series in Toronto. Right-hander Daniel Bard has been optioned back to Double-A Portland, opening a roster spot for Hanrahan.
 
In his two outings, Friday and Sunday, Hanrahan went a combined two innings, giving up two runs on two hits, with a home run, one walk, and one strikeout. On Sunday, he threw a scoreless inning in the Paw Sox loss to Columbus, with one walk on 17 pitches, eight strikes.
 
Farrell has not said if Hanrahan would reclaim the closer role or if it is Bailey’s. The pitchers say they don’t know, either.
 
“They haven’t really talked to me yet. So we’ll see,” Bailey said. “Hopefully we get him back soon.

“I think the organization knows what I want to do and they know what he wants to do. Everybody wants to close. The decision’s up to them. And it’s just nice, to kind of feel like the guy they traded for again and be healthy out there. But that being said, I think we got 25 guys on the same page and we all want to get to the playoffs and go to the World Series. That’s the ultimate goal."

CSNNE.com: Door still open for decision on Red Sox closer

There's really two sides to this debate. For one, a player should never lose his position due to an injury. In this case, Hanrahan seemingly struggled due to his injured hamstring affecting his pitching mechanics. Therefore, he should be given another shot to prevail at his original role as closer.

The other alternative is to ride out your hot hand, which has been Andrew Bailey. He looks a thousand times better than last season and really has electric stuff and command closing out games. If it ain't broken, don't fix it...right?

Here's how I see it playing out: Hanrahan will be given another shot. I lean more towards riding the hot hand in Bailey, but I agree with the notion that no player should ever lose his job to injury.

However, Hanrahan has to ultimately prove that the injury was the reason for his poor performance and blown saves. I also think you'll see Farrell at times carefully play the matchup game switching between Hanrahan and Bailey. That could be a dangerous situation playing with their roles, but I think Farrell is one of the few that could effective manage that.

Rest of the links: Globe: Coaching staff deserves credit for Red Sox’ hot start | Herald: John Farrell, Juan Nieves bring out best in co-aces | Herald: Shane in pain | CSNNE.com Middlebrooks hopes his sophomore slump is over | Projo: Like Daniel Bard, Ryan Rowland-Smith looking for answers

Your Morning Dump...where the Red Sox may have a Closer controversy

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

Andrew Bailey, who shared American League co-Player of the Week with fellow Red Sox Mike Napoli, added yet another save in the team's 9-6 victory over the Oakland A's last night at Fenway.

When Stephen Drew opened the season on the disabled list, Red Sox manager John Farrell resolved that the veteran shortstop wouldn’t lose his job because of an injury, regardless of how many hits were piled up by upstart fill-in Jose Iglesias.

Farrell has not yet made the same commitment to closer Joel Hanrahan.

Hanrahan threw 30 pitches (mostly fastballs) in the bullpen at Fenway Park yesterday, the first time he has pitched off a mound since he was sidelined April 16, and didn’t report any pain in his strained right hamstring. He is scheduled for another bullpen session tomorrow, then perhaps a minor league rehab assignment over the weekend.

But while Hanrahan is eligible to be activated from the disabled list April 29, Farrell isn’t making any guarantees that he will return as the closer.

“I think we’ll get through the rehab assignments and get him back here before we address that,” Farrell said before last night’s series opener against the Oakland Athletics. “I think it’s probably a little bit premature to state anything along those lines.”

Herald: Hanrahan's job on hold

With Hanrahan beginning his rehab process from his hamstring injury, he is likely due back soon. So what does that mean for Bailey?

Here's how I see it going down in the following weeks:

Hanrahan will return in about two weeks, possibly less. He will return to his original role as closer and Bailey will shift back into a set-up role, along with Koji Uehara. Hanrahan will cough up a few more save opportunites and eventually be dealt in advance of the July 31st trade deadline. Bailey will be the Red Sox closer by the latest August 1st.

Even though it's been a short stint of success, Bailey has the makeup and actual finesse to be an effective closer in Boston. He has pinpoint control with outstanding breaking pitches to compliment his fastball. Hanrahan is just straight gas. That's about it.

Hanrahan was acquired on a one-year deal and is truly a win-win for GM Ben Cherington. If he is a success and closes out 30-plus games, super. If not, deal him back to the National League to a team in need of a closer (Cardinals?) and insert another option (Bailey) from the Red Sox deep bullpen. No harm done.

Either way, when's the last time the Red Sox had a closer controversy? Keith Foulke vs Jonathan Papelbon in 2005? These situations are always interesting to follow and quite frankly, are a positive sign of any team's bullpen. Imagine if the Sox had no other reliable options and put all their money on Hanrahan? Yikes.

Buckle up Red Sox nation. The closer debates are coming!

Rest of the links - Globe: Red Sox’ Joel Hanrahan OK after bullpen session | Globe: Sox slam the door shut | Globe: Felix Doubront sets career high for pitch count | Herald: Napoli, Middlebrooks power Red Sox past A's | Herald: Napoli impressing Red Sox teammates with power display | WEEI.com: Farrell: ‘A little premature’ to say if Andrew Bailey or Joel Hanrahan will close | 

Your Morning Dump...where Papi is on his way back

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

David Ortiz was scheduled to play in his third game for the Pawtucket Red Sox, Sunday, slotted in to hit third for the PawSox. But prior to the game at McCoy Stadium against Rochester, the designated hitter was scratched due to illness.

“There’s kind of a sinus funk traveling through our clubhouse,” said Red Sox manager John Farrell after his team’s 5-0 win over the Rays at Fenway Park. “He fell victim to it today, so he was a late scratch.”

Ortiz has gotten just seven at-bats with the PawSox during his four days scheduled to be with the Triple-A team, notching three hits. Pawtucket is home for the next four games, taking on Lehigh Valley. If all goes well, there would seem to be a possibility that the DH might join the Red Sox when they return home from a three-game road trip in Cleveland, Friday.

WEEI | David Ortiz scratched in Pawtucket due to illness

Everything is going pretty well without Ortiz, but I think we can all agree that his return will be welcomed. JBJ just isn't ready -- and that's not a criticism, he's just young -- and Ortiz's return allows Bradley the chance to go down to Pawtucket and get his at bats in in an easier environment.

Meanwhile, the rest of the lineup shakes out once you plunk Papi into the cleanup spot. Napoli and Middlebrooks shift down. Nava and Gomes get to do a true platoon in left. The top of the lineup has a proven bat behind them to knock them in.

He may be getting older, and he may be coming back from a day-to-day injury that turned into a nine-month injury, but I still expect Ortiz to be close to what we've known him as. He'll push 30 homers, he'll get on base, he'll drive in runs. But hopefully he'll also provide that psychological boost that can come with a big bat in the middle of the lineup: No one will quite feel the pressure to be The Man once The Man returns.

On page 2, Joel Hanrahan will be out for the next few days.

Your Morning Dump...Where Ortiz is making progress

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

“I thought David was outstanding,” DiSarcina said. “He swung the bat really well and came out of it once again pretty healthy. I think he has normal soreness from playing.

“He ran the bases a little bit and progressed.”

Pawtucket had a doubleheader Saturday but Ortiz played only the first game, which was a makeup of Friday night’s rainout. Ortiz went 1 for 4 with a run and two RBIs as Pawtucket prevailed, 7-1. He left McCoy Stadium without addressing the media.

Ortiz will continue his rehab assignment Sunday when Pawtucket hosts Rochester.

“He knows his body better than anyone,” Di­Sarcina said. “He’s rehabbed before. He knows how many at-bats he needs to be able to get out of here and be with his teammates in Boston.

“It’s cold out there. He had three at-bats [Thursday night] and ran around the bases. Ultimately it’s his call regarding what he wants to do."

Globe: David Ortiz shows progression in second game of rehab assignment with Pawtucket Red Sox

Ok, now we can start to feel optimistic about David Ortiz. He is making significant progress at the highest level of competition before the majors and is running the bases. Sure, he will feel sore and tired, because of the lack of running and conditioning during the winter, and it is has been pretty cold in Pawtucket for April since their home season began.

Ortiz is putting the bat on the ball, and looking like set-backs are a thing of the past. Now that I have said it, Ortiz will probably suffer a set-back today.

On Page 2, Joel Hanrahan's legs are to blame for his awful performances

Your Morning Dump...where Hanrahan had quite the meltdown.

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

Hanrahan, who recorded just two outs, faced seven batters and gave up five runs on three hits, including two home runs, and two walks. He also threw a two-out wild pitch that allowed the tying run to score, before surrendering a game-losing, three-run homer into the Monster Seats by Manny Machado.

“Probably trying to go a little too hard, trying to make things happen with my arm instead of trusting my mechanics," Hanrahan said after the game. "Sometimes you get in a tight situation, you just try and go harder. As athletes we tell ourselves to slow down and relax, and sometimes it’s not that easy.”

Manager John Farrell had some good things to say about Hanrahan's outing.

"[He] had very good stuff [and] looked to be on the verge of closing it out until [a two-out] base-on-balls [to No. 9 hitter Nolan Reimond," said Farrell.

CSNNE: "You could almost see Hanrahan's meltdown coming"

Well Farrell isn't going to come out and bash his closer and technically he WAS a strike away from getting out of the game with his 100th career save. He had the strike against Nate McClouth but the umpire didn't call it.

But how Hanrahan looked last night, he wasn't going to get any calls his way. He was all over the place last night. His was overthrowing his fastball and had no command of his slider whatsoever. Hanrahan even admitted afterwards that he was "trying a little too hard". 

It's been two straight shaky appearences for the Sox closer and is giving some Sox fans flashbacks to the infamous Eric Gagne which is never a good thing. It also doesn't help that Andrew Bailey has looked like a stud every time he's been on the mound this season. Farrell is staying with Hanrahan as closer but if he has a couple more meltdowns like last night, he might have to make a switch.

Globe: Hanrahan blows save | Remy treated for recurrence of cancer | Herald: Drew finally makes debut | Fenway Park streak ran its course | Victorino, Ellsbury miss-communicate |  Dempster minimizes damage despite errors | Hanranhan hands Orioles win in 9th | CSNNE: Humility won't hurt after end of Red Sox streak | Hanrahan implodes in ninth | WEEI: This is where it gets interesting | Farrell on Hanrahan: "Obviously, he's our closer" | Hanrahan implodes in Sox loss | Remy says he's fine after cancer relapse