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.
Clay Buchholz, who's been out six weeks, is suffering from a stress fracture in his lower back, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
It's unlikely that Buchholz will pitch again this season, though a return in the postseason has not entirely been ruled out yet.[...]
Buchholz threw off the mound last Monday and told reporters afterward that he felt the session was a step in the right direction, adding that he felt about 80 percent recovered.
"I think it's going to feel better," Buchholz said at the time. "There was still a little soreness coming off after I threw. I sat down for about 10 minutes, did a couple stretches and it felt better. This is, I think, the biggest step in the right direction so far in this process."[...]
Such injuries are rare for pitchers. They are more common in position players. New York Mets third baseman David Wright was diagnosed with a stress fracture in mid-May and only recently returned, having missed about two months.
No surgery is required for a stress fracture, which is usually healed with rest and treatment.
It's possible Buchholz could be physically ready sometime in September to resume pitching. By then, however, the seasons for every minor-league affiliate would be complete and there would be no venue for which Buchholz could rehab.
Without the benefit of live game conditions to build arm strength, it would be difficult for Buchholz to return late in the season. It's conceivable, the source said, that Buchholz could pitch in relief in the postseason, but that would be asking a great deal for someone who will not have faced major league hitters since mid-June.
General manager Theo Epstein, in a conference call with reporters Sunday to discuss the team's acquisition of Erik Bedard, said, "Clearly, we have some concern for Clay. It's been almost a couple of months now, which is longer than we expected it to be. We're still awaiting some more feedback and another opinion. I think we have a feel for what may be going on, but Clay is seeing another expert to get his opinion, then we're all going to put our heads together this week.
"I'll refrain from answering in too much detail until we have a chance to talk to Clay and we all have a chance to talk things through. Clearly any time a pitcher of his caliber isn't on the mound for a while and throws a side as he did on Monday but then can't necessarily back it up with another side and getting out there on a rehab assignment, there's some concern."
The Sox may have held off on making any announcement on Buchholz's condition out of fear that the news would cost them leverage in trade talks with opposing teams leading up to Sunday's deadline.
CSNNE: Buchholz has stress fracture, likely out for year
Well, it all makes sense with a "panic move" to get Erik Bedard. Options were running out, Buchholz has a season-ending injury, so the Red Sox got a guy that is almost as broken as Harden (something we will address on page 2). This is a big blow to the post season rotation and it looks like the #3 spot will be filled by Boston's favorite, John Lackey. That previous sentence gave me a pain in my stomach, as if someone just punched me in the balls.
The Red Sox were able to breathe a bit better with Lester's great outing against the White Sox. As long as he can keep that up and Beckett continues on his tear, the Red Sox will have the best 1-2 punch in the AL. That's not enough. They will have to bank on John Lackey giving them the stuff he has shown of late and keeping it consistent. On a related note, I have called my doctor to get some medication for the ulcer I am going to have in October.
Related: ESPN Boston: Report: Buchholz has stress fracture, out for season
On Page 2, we question Erik Bedard's health.
So here we are today with Bedard, a former AL East foe with the Baltimore Orioles who has been effective when healthy . . . but never seems to be healthy.
Bedard is 55-48 for his career with a 3.69 ERA, numbers that hint at his prodigious talent. If only they were the whole story. His next start will be his first in August since 2007. He has averaged 15 starts since 2008, and that’s not including 2010, which he missed in its entirety while recovering from labrum surgery.
[...]
“Maybe he lets his arm do the talking, which is fine with us,” general manager Theo Epstein said. “Based on what we know, he fits in fine with his teammates. There are lots of labels in baseball. We’ve found those labels aren’t always accurate.”
Having only pitched in Baltimore and Seattle, Bedard deserves a chance to show what he can do here. But his acclimation will be one issue worth following, particularly since the notoriously media-averse pitcher suddenly will be surrounded by one of the league’s biggest press corps. Some guys have a hard time adjusting to the unwanted attention. Another starter, John Lackey, still is figuring it out in his second season.
“I’m sure he’s going to be excited,” pitching coach Curt Young said. “You come to a situation where you’re in contention, every game means something, and he’s going to find out it’s a great place to play.”
At the very least, Bedard represents a short-term upgrade over yesterday’s starter, lefty Andrew Miller, who again danced on the precipice of disaster. He limited the White Sox to three runs while striking out eight in 5 2⁄3 innings, but he allowed 10 hits in the 5-3 victory and reinforced the notion that while he may have a bright future, the future is not now.
The price for Bedard was four minor leaguers, including Double-A catcher Tim Federowicz and promising outfielder Chih-Hsien Chiang. But Epstein has an exemplary track record when it comes to the prospects surrendered in similar deals, with pitcher Cla Meredith for catcher Doug Mirabelli being the exception.
Herald: Questions surriound oft-injured Erik Bedard
Once again, I think we can call this trade a bit of a panic move. We knew it before it happened, and said Erik Bedard isn't a good idea. This guy has had 3 procedures done on his shoulder in 3 years and missed all of last season and part of 2011. He is a good pitcher when healthy, but the healthy part doesn't last too long.
I am upset that the Red Sox gave up Chih-Hsien Chiang (OF, Sea Dogs) in this trade. In 88 games with AA Portland, Chiang was batting .340, with 18 homers, and 76 RBI. Next to Ryan Lavarnway, Chiang was the best hitter in the farm system.
There is nothing that can be done about it now, so we have to sit back and hope Bedard can make it to the end of the season. Don't be surprised if he doesn't.
The rest of the links:
Globe: Small-market teams turn buyers at trade deadline | Save situation for Epstein | ESPN Boston: Hot times for Sox in July | WEEI: Red Sox beat buzzer with Bedard deal | Theo Epstein: Erik Bedard 'can go out and beat anybody' | Projo: Curt Young has some familiarity with Bedard
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