Red Sox closer Andrew Bailey to have thumb surgery

[cruzg24]

WASHINGTON (AP)—As planned, the Boston Red Sox will have a new closer to open the season. It just won’t be Andrew Bailey.

The Red Sox announced Tuesday that Bailey will have surgery on his right thumb, likely ruling him out for most of the season.

“I don’t think it will be before the All-Star break—is what the trainer told me,” manager Bobby Valentine said when asked for a timetable for Bailey’s return.

AdChoices

Both Bailey and ace Josh Beckett were in Cleveland to see Dr. Thomas Graham for second opinions on their respective thumb injuries. Beckett was deemed OK and remains scheduled to start Saturday at Detroit in Boston’s second game of the season, but Bailey was diagnosed as needing an operation to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament.

The surgery will be performed Wednesday.

“That’s a tough break. He was sitting right next to me in spring this year, and the whole spring he was saying `I feel really good, really good,’ and then something like that happens,” said Clay Buchholz, who started Tuesday’s 8-7 win over the Washington Nationals in Boston’s final spring training game. “I think everybody in there feels for him. He’s going to play a big role on our team as soon as he’s back, but it’s tough. There’s going to have to be a couple of guys on this team step up and fill some shoes, and it’s going to be big shoes to fill.”

Source: Yahoo Sports

 

[bosoxlover12]

Damn this sucks... Longer than I expected

 

[Giantmetfan07]

damn, really bad break for the Sox and Bailey. Luckily he doesn't have a lot of miles on him so hopefully he has a good September and is healthy next year.

 

[cruzg24]

Looks like Im picking the Yankees to come in 2nd now.