David Price 2017

[Red(s)HawksFan]

The bit about surgery would have been recommended if he were 22 or 23 but not now seems off to me. It strikes me as saying that there IS something wrong in Price's arm, but because he's older or more experienced, he can work around it. Or because he's older, the repair might do more harm than good. Either way, that doesn't fill me with confidence that he's going to be fully out of the woods after a little rest and rehab.

 

[pokey_reese]

I'm confused/concerned about that last tweet. If trainers were 'freaking out' about his decision to throw into a trampoline, then why did he do it?

 

[lexrageorge]

I'm confused/concerned about that last tweet. If trainers were 'freaking out' about his decision to throw into a trampoline, then why did he do it?

Doesn't make sense, given that the Sox and Farrell were saying all week that they planned to have him throw on Saturday. Maybe they were concerned that the ball would bounce back and hit Price. He could also have been joking with the reporter to some extent.

 

[CarolinaBeerGuy]

Could we get a new thread started about issues between fans and players? I keep thinking I missed some Price news when this thread gets bumped.

 

[lexrageorge]

Today's Boston Globe has an article that gives some context behind the quotes tweeted by Speier:

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2017/03/13/david-price-says-his-arm-feeling-lot-better/jNz8ZMtm0I7AR7jpT78j4L/story.html

A pertinent quote:

If he had experienced the sort of discomfort he felt after the Feb. 28 outing at an earlier stage of his career, Price said that the outlook offered by Drs. James Andrews and Neal ElAttrache would have been far more dire. But because he’d experienced similar though not quite as extensive discomfort in the past, the doctors were able to look at Price’s history of recovering from early-spring forearm soreness to suggest that all he needed was a brief anti-inflammatory prescription and rest.

In Dr. Andrews We Trust.

 

[simplicio]

Farrell said this morning Price will probably start the season on the DL.

http://m.redsox.mlb.com/news/article/219299410/david-price/

 

[Cesar Crespo]

I'm confused/concerned about that last tweet. If trainers were 'freaking out' about his decision to throw into a trampoline, then why did he do it?

Freaking out doesn't necessarily mean against. I'd be freaking out anytime a pitcher started throwing after discomfort, regardless of how long he rested.

 

[bosox1025]

This is an encouraging step

 

[HriniakPosterChild]

It would be so nice if the thread title could be changed: "David Price is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Monday, his first since he first felt elbow discomfort"

 

[uk_sox_fan]

Am I alone in secretly hoping he stays away well into May so he finishes the season in mid-season form and becomes rock-solid in the playoffs?

 

[I am an Idiot]

Yes, because without him eating innings at an above-average clip, we don't make the playoffs and he'd be golfing in mid season form.

 

[gryoung]

Well sure --- but that whole playoff rock-solid thing would be something entirely new wouldn't it?

 

[S. H. Frog]

Am I alone in secretly hoping he stays away well into May so he finishes the season in mid-season form and becomes rock-solid in the playoffs?

You are not alone, and the cat is out of the bag. I'd like to see a pretty good Price back in the rotation something like May 15. There are 36 games between now and the 15th, including the Wally Toothbrush Holder giveaway game on the 14th. That could be seven Price starts, if he were healthy. Split those games and they're 20-19. Imagine Price winning all of them and they're 27-12, and he's pitched 45-50 innings.

I think they're at least a .500 team without Price, and I'm OK with 20-19 and a 45-inning fresher Price mid-May.

 

[koufax37]

Am I alone in secretly hoping he stays away well into May so he finishes the season in mid-season form and becomes rock-solid in the playoffs?

There are some good teams in our division. Playing in the wild card game instead of winning your division is a big deal.

While I would like to see Price nice and fresh and peaking in October, I think that I would rather him turn over some eighth and seventh innings that his ego wants to pitch to a competent bullpen throughout a 95 win summer.

I prefer that to having him unavailable and hoping some silver lining rest for him outweighs the risk that his absence keeps us from winning the division, lining up our playoff rotation and not having Sale pitch game 162 or 163.

 

[PhabPhour20]

You are not alone, and the cat is out of the bag. I'd like to see a pretty good Price back in the rotation something like May 15. There are 36 games between now and the 15th, including the Wally Toothbrush Holder giveaway game on the 14th. That could be seven Price starts, if he were healthy. Split those games and they're 20-19. Imagine Price winning all of them and they're 27-12, and he's pitched 45-50 innings.

I think they're at least a .500 team without Price, and I'm OK with 20-19 and a 45-inning fresher Price mid-May.

Wouldn't you only add 3-4 wins to the total with Price winning all of his? Since you are already assuming they split them. The difference is even smaller.

 

[S. H. Frog]

Wouldn't you only add 3-4 wins to the total with Price winning all of his? Since you are already assuming they split them. The difference is even smaller.

Right, my bad.

 

[steveluck7]

Update on Price from Pete Abe
Price will throw a bullpen tomorrow. But Farrell acknowledged the recent slowdown was the result of "soreness." Still, threw hard today.

The soreness is a bit concerning but Pete says he was letting loose playing long toss today

 

[SouthernBoSox]

I still don't think he's thrown a breaking ball...

Really, there are only 2 outcomes. This is general soreness that every pitcher works through in spring training. Or its lingering from the elbow and it's going to be an issue until it's surgically repaired. I'm not bullish on significant contributions from Price this year, which is rough considering the Rodriguez, Wright, Pomeranz back 3 is tough to project.

EDIT: This from Chris Smith paints a much scairer picture

http://www.masslive.com/redsox/index.ssf/2017/04/david_price_boston_red_sox_lef_11.html#incart_river_home

TORONTO -- David Price (elbow) told MassLive.com on Wednesday that he isn't 100 percent confident he'll avoid surgery.

"We're going to find out," Price told MassLive.com.

He brushed off a suggestion that he must be frustrated.

"It's all right," Price said. "I've been through it before."

But when?

"2013," Price said.

Not this long though, right?

"Longer than this," Price replied.

 

[Georgy Zhukov]

The Sox are hiding something. He's not right.

 

[Sam Ray Not]

Mixed in the breaking ball in his 30-pitch bullpen session today, fwiw...

 

[luckysox]

What would really, really suck, is to take half or more of this season trying to avoid surgery and then need surgery anyway after zero contribution this season. Because that'll be 2 seasons of zero contribution instead of 1+. Grr.

 

[CarolinaBeerGuy]

I've taken a pretty pessimistic view with regard to Price contributing at all this year. I just don't see this ending without surgery. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't get a good feeling about it. Like @luckysox, I hope he doesn't need surgery after all of this. If that's the case, he's likely out until 2019.

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

What would be really, really great is if the path they're taking works, and Price ends up being the big "trade deadline acquisition."

 

[Mookie50]

As a sox fan; and a fantasy owner in a big money league where Price (and Rich F'ing Hill) are my two horses on an otherwise really good team, I am praying he's back by June or Late May and can give 150 IP somehow, some way. I think he was going to have a really good year so when that news broke in ST I was heartbroken.

 

[koufax37]

Without Price we are 2 games out of first, currently playing the Yankees in the Wild Card game.

So while not where we want to be or need to be, we are not digging too big a hole on the #1 objective we have for David Price: help us win our division (although a Chris Sale makes the wild card game less scary).

Having personally recovered without surgery from elbow and shoulder issues in separate seasons, the current reports on Price have me feeling optimistic. Feeling fine after a 30 pitch bullpen that includes breaking balls is actually a pretty huge stepping stone, and one that usually leads to a natural progression to full health. If he didn't really feel fine and we don't have full information, or he subsequently causes a new or worsening injury through a future action, things could certainly move in the wrong direction.

But the most likely outcome following a 30 pitch pain free breaking ball inclusive bullpen is putting an injury behind you and building strength towards a return. It is a very different checkpoint than the "resumed light throwing" or "threw flat ground" or "extended his throwing program to 120 feet" or any of the other checkpoints that have to happen, but involve less than full effort and arm pronations compared to a multiple pitch bullpen.

If that bullpen was really a "bullpen" which implies near full effort, and if he really did feel fine after, I expect he pitches in a game in May and does not have surgery (unless it is for something new that happens along the way...like Tanaka's current situation). We just have to be patient as he progresses from this bullpen to ready to throw 90+ pitches in a game (which remember includes a pregame bullpen, and warmups for each inning so isn't ramping from 30 to 90, but is more like ramping from 30 to 180). Given that the injury happened very early in spring, he hadn't already build up much arm strength, so the build up could take a little longer and we shouldn't be F5-ing yet to see when his first rehab start is.

 

[leftfieldlegacy]

Per Ian Browne/MLB
Price threw a 45 (3x15) pitch bullpen today and will be checked tomorrow to see how his arm reacts to the additional pitches.

Meanwhile, left-hander David Price, who hasn't pitched this season due to a left elbow strain, had a productive day at Fenway on Monday, throwing a 45-pitch bullpen session. Price replicated three innings by taking a break every 15 pitches.

There is still no timetable on Price's return to action, though he might not be far from starting a Minor League rehab assignment, pending how he feels on Tuesday.

Price and the Red Sox have both continually said that the key is how he responds the day after throwing.

Before going on a rehab assignment, Price would likely face hitters in a simulated game setting. That could take place at Fenway Park later this week, if he progresses according to plan.

 

[Kun Aguero]

Like Adam42381, I just have this feeling that he needs surgery. The doctors know this now and they knew this then. They told him he needed it and was done for the season. Price asked if a long period of rest would avoid it. they said they doubted it but he could try it. Would miss the whole season regardless. Told him the cutoff point for surgery without it affecting him NEXT season. I have a feeling that timeline is almost here. I am just speculating and have zero actual proof, but i just have this feeling. I have had it since day one.

 

[Ed Hillel]

I'm not sure what kind of surgery on his forearm it would be, then, because if it's Tommy John then he'd already miss half of next season if they conducted it tomorrow.

 

[Kun Aguero]

My bad. I meant to say without affecting most or all of next year. If it would be worth the wait to try or to just do the surgery.

 

[uncannymanny]

I have a feeling he's gonna win the Cy Young. Nothing to base this on, but I feel it.

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

Like uncannymanny, I also have a feeling he's going to win the Cy Young. Just speculating, but a strong feeling.

 

[Kun Aguero]

Of course he will. Because there is absolutely zero chance that he needs surgery, right? It's just my opinion. Is that a better word than "feeling"??

 

[uncannymanny]

It's generally nice to bring even a sliver of something that isn't an opinion based on nothing (or less than nothing considering the post preceding yours). We can all go on ESPN comments and get unfounded feelings.

 

[Kun Aguero]

I was responding specifically to this post.

I've taken a pretty pessimistic view with regard to Price contributing at all this year. I just don't see this ending without surgery. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't get a good feeling about it. Like @luckysox, I hope he doesn't need surgery after all of this. If that's the case, he's likely out until 2019.

 

[dhappy42]

If Price is throwing 45 pitch bullpens and simulated innings, why not work him out as a one-inning middle-reliever or even a loogy in a real game?

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

So you're saying you know he's effective in these outings and "getting guys out"?

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

If Price is throwing 45 pitch bullpens and simulated innings, why not work him out as a one-inning middle-reliever or even a loogy in a real game?

If you activate him for the purpose of converting his rehab work into an effective(?) reliever option, how exactly do you go about stretching him out so he can go back to doing what they pay him $30M to do? Price is effectively in spring training right now. If he's going to be in the rotation for the second half of the season, he needs to ramp up just like any other starter would. The only difference is this is happening in May instead of March.

 

[lexrageorge]

If Price is throwing 45 pitch bullpens and simulated innings, why not work him out as a one-inning middle-reliever or even a loogy in a real game?

This is a really bad idea of bad ideas. There is a HUGE gap between throwing bullpen sessions and throwing to live, MLB batters in a game that counts.

 

[shaggydog2000]

This is a really bad idea of bad ideas. There is a HUGE gap between throwing bullpen sessions and throwing to live, MLB batters in a game that counts.

And an even bigger gap between a good idea and the idea of making a $30M a year Cy Young winning starter into a middle reliever.

 

[koufax37]

If Price is throwing 45 pitch bullpens and simulated innings, why not work him out as a one-inning middle-reliever or even a loogy in a real game?

Because our bullpen is fine and that isn't the best path to having him back to 6+ inning dominant David Price that we need ASAP.

But I stand by my earlier statement that barring a setback, a 45 pitch breaking ball inclusive bullpen is a stepping stone to a probably quick return. But I would have hoped to hear more about the next step by now, so am somewhat concerned that maybe it didn't go as well as initially reported.

 

[Byrdbrain]

I'm not sure what you are looking for but he threw his simulated game Thursday and yesterday there were a bunch of pieces talking about how well it went and that he was scheduled to go 4 on Tuesday.
Here is one of those pieces:
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/red_sox/2017/05/red_sox_notebook_all_positive_for_david_price_in_simulated_game

 

[koufax37]

Thanks. I missed the info on the simulated game. That is exactly what I would expect and hope for, and as Dombrowski mentioned being a step by step process.

 

[shaggydog2000]

Alex Speier was on the Sox broadcast the other night saying that Price could be back at the end of this month or beginning of next if all goes well. Just one writer and not a team representative although he is employed by the team to some extent, but it sounded good to me.

 

[joyofsox]

Based on Farrell's comments today, Bradford estimates a possible return on May 29 or 30:

"Farrell said that Price will pitch in another simulated game Tuesday in Milwaukee, during which he will plan to go four innings. ... Farrell also presented the plan for after that simulated game, with Price slated to pitch in his first minor league rehab assignment May 14, followed by two more on May 19 and 24. The initial minor league outing would be for four innings. It all leads to the projected major league return of Price for May 29 or 30, which would be the first two games against the White Sox in Chicago."

 

[Van Everyman]

So basically spring training in May, 80-100 fewer IP? Assuming he's healthy, I'm not complaining.

 

[joe dokes]

He's likely to be better than kendrick

 

[hoothehoo]

Nothing to do with his rehab, but David Price was on NBC Nightly News tonight. About his work with "Miracle Field".

http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/at-red-sox-star-s-new-miracle-field-everyone-is-an-all-star-939139651664

 

[Soxfan in Fla]

Nothing to do with his rehab, but David Price was on NBC Nightly News tonight. About his work with "Miracle Field".

http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/at-red-sox-star-s-new-miracle-field-everyone-is-an-all-star-939139651664

I was on the Board of Directors that built a Miracle League field in Sarasota with a bunch of help from the Pirates and Orioles. Happy to see David did that. Just awesome.

 

[TonyPenaNeverJuiced]

 

[PaulinMyrBch]

Ian Browne‏Verified account @IanMBrowne
David Price will start rehab assignment Sunday at Pawtucket, John Farrell has just announced. Five innings, 70 pitches.


Wasn't his last live session just 45 pitches (3 innings simulated, 15 each)? If that is so, seems like the jump to 70 pitches seems a bit aggressive. I'm not the guru here, but I was expecting a 3-4 inning rehab start instead of 5 inning - 70 pitches. I assume the 5/70 is whatever comes first.