Josh Beckett leaves game with "irritation to the right middle finger" Options

[Red Averages]

Beckett was taken out of the game after only four innings and 64 pitches. When Francona went to tell the umpire he signaled that it could be a blister problem. After Beckett finished his 4th inning of work he immediately went down the dugout stairs to the clubhouse and didn't return.

"Irritation to the right middle finger" was just announced to the media. Remy: "An avulsion (thanks Temple) of the skin - pulling away from the skin, so not a blister."

Here's Rotoworld's take

Josh Beckett was removed from Sunday's game after four innings with irritation in his right middle finger.
Beckett was throwing great and there weren't any apparent problems with him on the mound. Still, he went right to the clubhouse after finishing the fourth inning and was replaced by Kyle Snyder in the top of the fifth. Should Beckett go on the DL with his latest seemingly blister-related issue, Devern Hansack would seem to be the top candidate to replace him in the rotation. Jon Lester isn't ready right now.

This post has been edited by Red Averages: May 13 2007, 02:36 PM

[Todd Benzinger]

Joe and Dave are reporting that the term "avulsion" is being used to describe the condition...

Edited to correct spelling

This post has been edited by Todd Benzinger: May 13 2007, 10:52 PM

[templeUsox]

It "avulsion." It's a tearing away of the skin. I wouldn't be surprised if this was similar to Beckett's previous injuries because:

1. Many of those injuries have been classified as "a tearing of the skin."

2. He knew what was going on right away and didn't even stop in the dugout.

If he has to go on the DL that's going to be a huge hit. What a f-ing buzzkill.

[Rudy Pemberton]

An obvious statement, but a injury quickly reveals how fragile even an excellent rotation such as this can become. If Beckett has to be disabled, we are suddenly looking at a rotation featuring both Tavarez AND Snyder, and that's a tad scary. Wonder what the Sox would do if Beckett has to go on the DL...would they just bump Snyder to the rotation, or go with a Runelvys Hernandez, Hansack? I don't think they'd stretch on Buchholz, esp. since he's not on the 40-man, Lester isn't ready, and Piniero doesn't appear to be an option.

Obviously, the hope is Beckett doesn't have to go on the DL.

[E5 Yaz]

Obviously, the hope is Beckett doesn't have to go on the DL.

He'll be put on the DL. There's no way that thing clears up in five days, maybe not even 10. They don't have a day off for a long stretch now, so they'd have to makeshift 2 starts.

[templeUsox]

If they put him on the DL, Hansack makes the most sense. Especially since Hansack is actually better than our #5 starter right now, anyway.

[Rudy Pemberton]

If so, it's a huge blow and we'll start to see if the vaunted pitching depth can step up. The depth starters killed this team last year, it has to be better this year. Will be interesting to see which direction they take here, especially since the loss of Beckett for even a few starts has the potential ripple effect of wearing down the pen as well.

[RoDaddy]

Tough break. I remember some of the discussion last year was that his bad pitching might be due in part to his avoiding certan pitches to avoid the blister problem. If true, perhaps he decided not to worry about the skin problem this year and just pitch his best. That might be one explanation for both his fast start this year and today's "irritation".

Let the Clay Buckholz temporary call-up rumors begin.

[SoxScout]

BOSTON -- Boston Red Sox starter Josh Beckett, the first seven-game winner in the majors, left after four innings on Sunday with a torn flap of skin on his right middle finger and failed in his attempt to tie a franchise record with a victory in his first eight starts.

ESPN

[Dummy Hoy]

To be honest, when we acquired JB I always figured he would be sort of like Pedro...really good, but due for a trip to the DL at least once a year. Just part of the package, you know?

I agree that this will be a good test, but hey, if we can't handle missing Beckett for 15 days, we're not going to make it to october. I think we'll be OK with a spot start or two, although the starts would be lined up to come on 5/18 vs. the Braves and on 5/23 @ the Toilet. The O will need to step up on those dates.

[swany]

Considering that Lester got up to 120 pitches in his last bullpen session, it's worth asking if he is the guy to take Beckett's place. I'm curious what other step would be between the extended bullpen session and being game ready. It would also be a relatively controlled scenario for Lester because if he struggles, the Sox have an convenient excuse to send him back to AAA when Beckett comes back.

[templeUsox]

He didn't throw up to 120 pitches. He threw from 120 feet. The copy you read was transcribed incorrectly.

[Pumpsie]

He didn't throw up to 120 pitches. He threw from 120 feet. The copy you read was transcribed incorrectly.

He threw 40 pitches in his last bullpen session.

[Midurty]

In high school we used to cure pitching blisters with crazy glue or NuSkin: worked wonderfully. Is it against MLB rules to apply substances such as those to your hand? Aside from it potentially being against the rules, does anyone know what's stopping them from going into the clubhouse and putting it on, I doubt anyone would be the wiser. Would he actually get caught?

[Lucen]

I've been thinking about this since the term avulsion was first mentioned. If it's a torn blister, what other descriptive term should be used? A torn blister is at least 3 layers of skin, probably more. It's not a blister anymore and it's more than irritation. I think we're making more of this than we need to. An avulsion likely covers any injury from a torn blister to skin being ripped from the muscle. I don't see any descriptions that pin it down to only serious damage.

The biggest reason for concern appears to be the risk of infection, and if the medical staff is dilligent and Beckett takes it seriously, that shouldn't be an issue.

[TomRicardo]

Tough break. I remember some of the discussion last year was that his bad pitching might be due in part to his avoiding certan pitches to avoid the blister problem. If true, perhaps he decided not to worry about the skin problem this year and just pitch his best. That might be one explanation for both his fast start this year and today's "irritation".

Let the Clay Buckholz temporary call-up rumors begin.

Clay Buchholz? CLAY BUCHHOLZ? Are you kidding me? You have Hansack, Gabbard, Pauley, hell even Snyder ahead of him. Buchholz is not even on 40 man roster.

Lets just wait to see what happens tomorrow before we start screaming DL or panic.

[Lucen]

Clay Buchholz? CLAY BUCHHOLZ? Are you kidding me? You have Hansack, Gabbard, Pauley, hell even Snyder ahead of him. Buchholz is not even on 40 man roster.

Lets just wait to see what happens tomorrow before we start screaming DL or panic.

I don't see any reason why Clay would end up pitching in Boston this year, aside from an absolutely catastrophic slew of injuries to the pitching staff. Even then, it would probably be unlikely.

[PedrosRedGlove]

Is it against MLB rules to apply substances such as those to your hand?

A pitcher can't have any foreign substance on him when he's on the mound. Zach Day was ejected from a game a few years ago for having super glue or something like it on a blister on his finger.

[Buzzkill Pauley]

From the archives here at SOSH:

5/1/02 Josh Beckett: Placed RHP Josh Beckett on the 15-day DL retroactive to April 29 with a blister on the middle finger of his right hand. (Activated 5/14)

6/5/02 Josh Beckett: Placed RHP Josh Beckett on the 15-day disabled list (right middle finger blister). (Couldn't find activation date)

8/24/02 Placed RHP Josh Beckett on the 15-day DL with a blister to his right middle finger. (Activated 9/11)

5/31/04 Placed RHP Josh Beckett on the 15-day disabled list with a blister to his right middle finger (Activated 6/16)

7/6/04 Placed RHP Josh Beckett on the 15-day DL with a skin tear to his right middle finger (Activated 7/30)

6/17/05 Placed RHP Josh Beckett on the 15-day disabled list with a blister to his right middle finger. (Activated 6/30)

So I'd venture to say it looks like Beckett might be going onto the 15-day DL with a skin tear to his right middle finger....glad we didn't trade any of that pitching depth!

Still, even with this DL trip looming I have to say I like this year's Beckett more than last year's.

[SoxScout]

"happened on one pitch. it was a tear, not a blister or fray, so that is good. need to let it heal for a while. no need to panic or anything, we just need to use caution and we will. this is better than a blister according to everyone and josh." - francona