The statement issued by the Red Sox sounds rather ominous: "Curt has started a program of rest, rehabilitation and shoulder strengthening in an attempt to return to pitching." An attempt? So this won't be a standard rehabilitation program where Schilling rests for a couple months, goes on a minor league rehabilitation assignment, and then comes back mid to late season? How bad is the injury, and why won't anyone say?
Here's Schilling's statement:
Quote:
At the time we negotiated the 2008 contract I passed all physical exams and testing, as well as the MRI the club required me to take. I knew in my heart of hearts that the extra time I was giving my arm to rest this winter would in fact be the cure for what I went through the entire 2007 season. I had a strong desire to not have to go through multiple cortisone injections in my shoulder for another year. There was absolutely no reason for anyone involved to believe I would be anything other than completely healthy and ready for the 2008 baseball season.
Things have changed since then and I contacted the team early last month with concerns and we’ve been working diligently to resolve them. There have been disagreements these past few weeks in an effort to provide me with a solution that would allow me to pitch as much as possible during the 2008 season. At no time did I ever consider taking a course of action against the clubs wishes. In the end, regardless of who agreed with whom, I have chosen the clubs course of action and will vigorously pursue any and every option I can to be able to help this team to another World Series title in 2008.
Please understand that a lot of what has been reported is not true. When the club feels it’s appropriate to further discuss the details of this issue publicly I will elaborate but I need to make it clear that Dr Morgan did NOT diagnose me with a tear of the rotator cuff at any time during this process, nor did he recommend rotator cuff surgery.
Dr Craig Morgan is inarguably one of the most highly respected shoulder experts in the world. I’m here because 13 years ago he was the only person on the planet to actually get what was wrong with me and correctly diagnose, and then treat me. He’s been on the cutting edge of treating throwing shoulders for over a decade. Much of the stuff that’s now seen as cutting edge treatment and therapy he was doing 10 years ago. I trusted him with my career then, and always will.
After being diagnosed by the Red Sox medical staff I sought a second opinion, as anyone would, and when it became clear there was disagreement (which is not uncommon by the way), I agreed to see an independent Doctor from a list the Red Sox provided me, for the third opinion. At this time I have agreed to abide with the clubs wishes in hopes that will provide the results they believe it will.
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My shoulder « 38 Pitches
The Boston Globe doesn't foreclose the possibility of Schilling pitching in 2008. Gordon Edes speculates that Schilling could be back after the All-Star break:
Boston Red Sox - Red Sox' Schilling out until All-Star break - The Boston Globe
Rotoworld says that the Red Sox could be looking into signing Freddy Garcia or Bartolo Colon as extra insurance for the rotation. The Red Sox don't want to go into the season with two rookies in the rotation; they're worried that Lester and Buchholz are not yet ready to carry a full 200 inning load, and they're not enthusiastic about putting Julian Tavarez back in the rotation. Then there's the matter of Tim Wakefield's chronic back injury, and whether he'll be able to start the season in the rotation.
Even so, I'm not worried about the team's chances. I'm excited to see what Buchholz and Lester can do this year, and I think Boston can get by with a 5th starter by committee. I'd never want to see Tavarez or Snyder start a playoff game, but a playoff-caliber team can get away with using them for a few months in the rotation. The Red Sox had Tavarez as the No. 5 starter for most of 2007.