105 replies to this topic

[DaveRoberts'Shoes]

Since you're the only ortho that I know that we have in here I'll ask. I don't know if you've ever done cases like this before and I realize you didn't do his surgery, but what is the normal recovery time for this type of surgery? You've said in a couple of places that you are doubtful of him coming back this year and being a productive member of society. Can you elaborate on that a little please.

If he did have his tendon sheath reconstructed, it's a good six weeks before he's using it to do ANYTHING, followed by a restriction of anything violent like, say, swinging a bat, until 3 to 4 months post-op. My reading of the situation is that, in the Sox mind, it's very similar to Schilling's - if either one of them has (or had) surgery, their respective seasons are over. Hence, there is really nothing to be lost by trying a conservative course at first. I think the Sox have been putting forth an optimistic face to keep themselves from getting totally hosed in the trade market. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's a definite that he's not coming back, but don't believe everything you hear coming from Yawkey Way.

[TheYellowDart5]

Yesterday, Ortiz managed to placate his hopes of participating in the Red Sox’ fun in a big way.

For the first time since injuring the wrist on the final day of May, Ortiz swung a bat - at soft toss. The DH first executed 40 swings off a hitting tee, before taking approximately 25 cuts with Sox hitting coach Dave Magadan offering up soft toss from the slugger’s side.

“He did well, really well,” said Magadan, who observed the slugger take 60 swings off a tee Monday. “Today was supposed to be an off day for David but he felt good enough where he wanted to take some more swings. So I just said, ‘Let him go at it.’ ”

Magadan’s excitement regarding Ortiz’ latest progress was also buoyed by the fact that the swings didn’t appear to come with any sort of rust despite the left-handed hitter going more than a month without wielding a bat.

“I was just looking to see if there was anything different in his swing where he might be trying to keep it from hurting, and there wasn’t,” Magadan said. “My concern is that I didn’t want him to change his swing. If he was going to take 60 swings I wanted to be sure they were 60 good swings. My job is to watch his mechanics to make sure they hadn’t changed, and they hadn’t.”

Source: http://bostonherald....e...&position=4

[Redkluzu]

From mlb.com here:

If things go as Ortiz hopes, he will be taking live batting practice in the cage at some point next week, when the Red Sox return to Fenway for a six-game homestand that will close out the first half.

"I don't know, I'll probably be hitting in the field maybe when I get back to Boston," said Ortiz.... "It all depends on how I feel. This is kind of a weird injury, and it's because one day you feel really good, and another day you feel kind of weak. It seems like you have to do what the trainers tell you to do and just hang in there."

Even in the elementary drills that Ortiz restarted on Tuesday, he felt a little like a fish out of water.

"I looked all [messed]up doing soft toss," he laughed. "I never thought I would have such a hard time hitting soft toss. I took like 25 swings, 25 soft tosses. At the end I started catching up. I'm going to go through the same thing today, and we'll see."

Ortiz is getting closer, however, and that can be seen in his demeanor, which has been noticeably more upbeat in recent days.

[Skiponzo]

Did anyone who attended the game see Big Papi taking batting practice tonight?

"When I start swinging, I get a little sore, and then when I keep going, I start feeling better and better," Ortiz said. "It's just like in this type of particular injury, that's the way it goes."

All along I've thought he's done for the year, but more and more I'm starting to think he just might get back. <Knock on wood>

Edited by Skiponzo, 07 July 2008 - 10:12 PM.

[Hairps]

" I feel good," he [Ortiz]said in the Red Sox clubhouse. "Great."

When a questioner asked him about the six drives he sent into the seats, he replied, "You were counting, huh?"

Ortiz had a team-high 13 homers and 43 RBIs when he got hurt.

"When you're injured, it kills you," he said. "It feels good. When you swing the bat, you want to swing hard."

Ortiz started by hitting off a tee last week before progressing to BP, and didn't seem surprised by the results.

"I feel fine," he said. "On the outside pitches a little sore, but not bad."

He hit in the cage beneath the stands at Yankee Stadium on Sunday in New York.

"That was actually planned," Boston manager Terry Francona said. "He didn't need to have his first swing (filmed) in New York. That doesn't make a lot of sense."

Ortiz didn't immediately know what his next step would be, whether it would be more BP or a rehab assignment soon.

http://www.sportingn...ic.php?t=432031

[drtooth]

I would think a tell-tale sign of Ortiz's progress is how the hand feels today after taking BP yesterday. If it is sore, then the Sox may have a concern as to Ortiz's timetable.

[Hairps]

“It feels like I’m going back to normal,” Ortiz said.

Ortiz will not be able to play in next week’s All-Star Game after being voted as an AL starter for the fourth consecutive season. He did, however, say he should have an approximate date for his return to the Sox lineup several days before next Tuesday’s Midsummer Classic.

“After this week, when I hit on the field, I will know,” he said. “That will be the last thing we do.”

Ortiz said he is becoming more optimistic that he will be able to avoid offseason surgery. Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Pat Burrell and Arizona Diamondbacks manager and former big league catcher Bob Melvin suffered similar injuries and told Ortiz that offseason rest should alleviate the problem.

“This is an injury that takes time (to heal),” Ortiz said. “When you’re swinging and swinging and swinging, I don’t think it will be 100 percent. Now, when you shut things down and forget about swinging and forget about trying to come back, that’s when the ligament will finally be able (to heal).”

While he doesn’t expect to be back to 100 percent healthy this season, Ortiz said there is no reason to believe he won’t be “at least 95” upon returning.

http://bostonherald....position=recent

[Redkluzu]

A little more today here

Red Sox manager Terry Francona said slugger David Ortiz will take batting practice the rest of the week, but he's not quite ready to return to the lineup.

"We’ll see how he feels at the end of the week and we’ll go from there," Francona said.

Near the end of this week, Francona said Ortiz will have the speed turned up on the pitching to try to get him back to full-speed.

Francona said Ortiz will need a few minor league rehab starts.

[Hairps]

Gammons on Baseball Tonight:

- Ortiz took BP for the second day in a row today and said afterwards that he felt "great."

- Some mild soreness, but nothing more than what the doctors told him to expect.

- He expects to be put on a minor league rehab assignment after the ASB and be back with Boston in ~2 weeks.

Edited by Hairps, 08 July 2008 - 09:24 PM.

[86spike]

so if he gets some rehab starts in after the ASB - I'd guess the most likely scenario is to have him back on 7/25 to face the MFYs at Fenway. I doubt they'd fly him out to Seattle just for a few games and then fly back.

That would be about a 7 week break. About the best case scenario, really.

[DieHard3]

http://bostonherald....position=recent

“This is an injury that takes time (to heal),” Ortiz said. “When you’re swinging and swinging and swinging, I don’t think it will be 100 percent. Now, when you shut things down and forget about swinging and forget about trying to come back, that’s when the ligament will finally be able (to heal).”

I'm sure they know what they're doing and aren't worried about aggravating or reinjuring himself, but it's hard to reconcile that with this quote. If he needs more rest for it to heal properly, then I don't understand why they're rushing him back at this point. They're in first in the wild card race, and Manny's legs are kicking so much that they're using him exclusively at DH. Why didn't they keep him shut down for a few more weeks and then ramp up for August? The eyes should be on having him as strong as possible in October.

[Hairps]

Red Sox slugger David Ortiz reported no pain Tuesday, a day after he took his first on-field batting practice since injuring a tendon in his left wrist almost six weeks ago.

"That was good news," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "We'll see how he feels at the end of the week and then we'll go from there."

Ortiz will continue to take batting practice with the team and work up to the point where he can test his wrist with a swing similar to the one he injured it on in the ninth inning on May 30 in Baltimore.

"Towards the end of the week, we'll probably get him down to that (batting) cage and crank up that machine, and really crank it up, crank it up because that will create discomfort for any hitter," he said. "I think the only true way (to test) is getting into a game."

http://www.sportingn...ic.php?t=432383

[The Napkin]

I'm sure they know what they're doing and aren't worried about aggravating or reinjuring himself, but it's hard to reconcile that with this quote. If he needs more rest for it to heal properly, then I don't understand why they're rushing him back at this point. They're in first in the wild card race, and Manny's legs are kicking so much that they're using him exclusively at DH. Why didn't they keep him shut down for a few more weeks and then ramp up for August? The eyes should be on having him as strong as possible in October.

I don't think it's that he can't play the field but that there's no point in having him play the field with Ortiz out. Don Remy pointed out the other night that Manny looked pretty good on the bases (I forget the exact play, but I noticed it too. It was a first to third on a ball to left I think).

[koufax32]

I don't think it's that he can't play the field but that there's no point in having him play the field with Ortiz out. Don Remy pointed out the other night that Manny looked pretty good on the bases (I forget the exact play, but I noticed it too. It was a first to third on a ball to left I think).

I believe it would have been the tag up from 2nd to third on a ball hit to center field. The ESPN guys mentioned the same asking if his legs were healthy enough to do that.

[CPT Neuron]

DRS

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't this the same tendon sheath injury that afflicted Nomar? IIRC, there are a few "elite athlete" case reports in the literature on surgical intervention for the sheath repairs - mostly in hockey players if my memory is good. Different mechanism of injury, but interesting in and of itself. It always amazes me how active the extensor carpi ulnaris is in all planes of motion - it is a really difficult to get folks to relax it when you are trying to study in with the needle.

[doc]

DRS

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't this the same tendon sheath injury that afflicted Nomar? IIRC, there are a few "elite athlete" case reports in the literature on surgical intervention for the sheath repairs - mostly in hockey players if my memory is good. Different mechanism of injury, but interesting in and of itself. It always amazes me how active the extensor carpi ulnaris is in all planes of motion - it is a really difficult to get folks to relax it when you are trying to study in with the needle.

Different injuries Cpt. Nomar's was the result of a direct trauma to the wrist which split the tendon (can't find a reference to which one) and caused friction in the sheath and subsequent inflammation. This is the hockey injury. In Papi's case he ruptured the sheath without injuring the tendon (or at least not seriously).

[DieHard3]

I don't think it's that he can't play the field but that there's no point in having him play the field with Ortiz out. Don Remy pointed out the other night that Manny looked pretty good on the bases (I forget the exact play, but I noticed it too. It was a first to third on a ball to left I think).

This is getting a bit off topic but I disagree. I'd rather they had Manny in LF, platooned Jacoby and Coco in CF, and DHed Casey over this period. Of course, similar or better results may have been achieved by playing Moss more in LF, with Manny still at DH. Maybe they're just using Manny as DH as an excuse to placate Crisp, since he's important depth whereas Casey is less apt to bitch and moan and also more redundant given the presence of Carter and Moss.

[The Napkin]

I believe it would have been the tag up from 2nd to third on a ball hit to center field. The ESPN guys mentioned the same asking if his legs were healthy enough to do that.

You're absolutely right, it was the 8th inning of the Monday night game. Thanks. Interesting that the ESPN guys mentioned it too (we had Don Remy locally).

[Hairps]

BP's Will Carroll:

Ortiz is hitting again, and hitting hard. Reports of his batting practice work gave bold-print notice of his six home runs, all pull shots. This is key, since the abduction of his wrist is where the tendon and tendon sheath would be under the most stress. Of course, Ortiz isn't much of an opposite-field hitter anyway, but the scouting reports are going to write themselves: down and away, down and away. Ortiz still has some recurrence risk, but it appears the bigger challenge is going to be whether he can make the adjustments at the plate needed to avoid being pitched around. One interesting note is that Ortiz is hitting without any sort of brace or even tape. That's a good sign for the strength in the wrist and how the medical staff feels about it. We won't see Big Papi in the Home Run Derby, but we should see him shortly after the All-Star break.

http://www.baseballp...?articleid=7779

[CPT Neuron]

Different injuries Cpt. Nomar's was the result of a direct trauma to the wrist which split the tendon (can't find a reference to which one) and caused friction in the sheath and subsequent inflammation. This is the hockey injury. In Papi's case he ruptured the sheath without injuring the tendon (or at least not seriously).

That was my point on the mechanism of injury being different. I was just having trouble recalling whether or not it was the ECU tendon/sheath complex.......I rememer having a long discussion about this over on the ProJo forum before jumping on here more frequently. Back then, I was on Active Duty and had more time to research esoteric stuff, like Red Sox injuries - not the case in private practice. Regardless, it is pretty funny reading the stuff linked from the "Under the Knife" at BP; the admixture of medical and scouting makes for some comedy during the mid-day break.

[SoxFanPJ]

A little insurance in case of re-injury or a set back just hit the open market.

Updated: July 10, 2008, 2:00 PM ET
OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Mariners have released first baseman Richie Sexson and put pitcher Erik Bedard on the disabled list.

http://sports.espn.g...tory?id=3481747

He hasn't played in LF since 2000, so in all likelihood he is strictly a 1B/DH guy. It would be nice to have a RH bat on the bench.

[bosox4283]

A little insurance in case of re-injury or a set back just hit the open market.
http://sports.espn.g...tory?id=3481747

He hasn't played in LF since 2000, so in all likelihood he is strictly a 1B/DH guy. It would be nice to have a RH bat on the bench.

What indication has Richie Sexson given that he can revert back to his 2006 level? He finished with a .694 OPS last year and he is at .696 this year.

[mabrowndog]

A little insurance in case of re-injury or a set back just hit the open market.

Insurance? What exactly would it insure?? That the Sox' lineup would have a gaping 6'8" black hole in it?

He hasn't played in LF since 2000, so in all likelihood he is strictly a 1B/DH guy.

This is like saying Mike Lowell hasn't been an infant since he was a year old, so in all likelihood he is strictly a walker, not a crawler. Richie Sexson couldn't play a passable left field if he were the last position player available on a major league roster.

It would be nice to have a RH bat on the bench.

Yes, it would. Sexson, however, is not that guy.

[maufman]

What indication has Richie Sexson given that he can revert back to his 2006 level? He finished with a .694 OPS last year and he is at .696 this year.

What's worse, it sounds like the M's decision to cut ties with Sexson had more to do with his attitude than his piss-poor performance.

http://insider.espn....hName=Neyer_Rob

I'm a little surprised Lee Pelekoudas didn't try to bundle Sexson with Bedard for a young player who could step in right away. (The new team would have DFA'd Sexson and eaten his salary, instead of the M's.)

As an interim GM who's presumed not to be on the M's short-list for a permanent replacement, Pelekoudas needs to make a splash. The M's corporate ownership might be more impressed by eight-figure cost savings and a cheap player making an immediate contribution (think Brandon Moss, or some other organization's equivalent thereof) than they would be if Pelekoudas dealt Bedard for a couple guys that Baseball America likes.

As it stands, the M's ate Sexson's salary, and with Bedard back on the DL, they probably won't be able to move him before the non-waiver deadline. Start working on your resumé, Lee.

[Oil Can's Liver]

What's worse, it sounds like the M's decision to cut ties with Sexson had more to do with his attitude than his piss-poor performance.

yeah right. If Sexson had a +800 OPS, he wouldn't be going anywhere. Sexson is absolutely terrible and his attitude is just the cherry on top.

[trekfan55]

yeah right. If Sexson had a +800 OPS, he wouldn't be going anywhere. Sexson is absolutely terrible and his attitude is just the cherry on top.

Watching the Seattle/Mets game on the Mets broadcast this year they mentioned how Sexson said that Safeco was tough place to play (because of the fans). They went on to ridicule him, saying that with the year he's having he should thank his lucky stars he plays in Safeco and not for the Mets. Now imagine if the Sox would take a flyer on him and he gets ahold of the Boston scene.

[reggiecleveland]

There is a good book called "Why Michael Couldn't hit" about the neurology of sports. The author noted that the ability to hit a baseball tops out at about 6'3 to 6'4. He said the greatest hitter ever (Ted) was 6'3 at a time when that was uncommonly tall and there are many very good hitters in that height area but just two inches taller at 6-5 and above that there is almost nobody. And other than Dave Winfield they are all sluggers who are feast or famine guys (Howard, Kingman, etc) so it is no surprise Sexon fell off the map.

I can't find it but there was an article once about why Pedro threw as hard as the Big Unit. It pointed out that at 6-10 the levers were working against Randy rather than for him. It was pointing out the fallacy of the prediction that some day 7 footers would be throwing 105 in the bigs. There was a footer at Notre Dame (I believe) who had pretty good mechanics etc but topped out at 91. I remember reading he was frustrated by this even with the explanation that he was doing about as well as he could expect.

There are certain activities that are harder the bigger you get and it is sometimes counter intuitive. Very few 7 footers ever lead the nba in rebounding for example.

So count me as one who believes Sexon was a gifted enough athlete to overcome his disadvantages for a while but he is unlikely to recover.

[cwright]

from the ProJo:
David Ortiz is expected to begin a rehab assignment Thursday with Triple-A Pawtucket.

Though the plans aren’t officially set, indications are David Ortiz could begin a rehab assignment Thursday in Pawtucket when the second half of the International League season starts [July 17].
[...]
“I’m going to need eight to 10 games,” said Ortiz as he got ready to take some swings in the cage yesterday. “You’ve got to remember, I haven’t played in about five weeks.”

[DieHard3]

“I’m going to need eight to 10 games,” said Ortiz as he got ready to take some swings in the cage yesterday.

If Ortiz does take 10 days at Pawtucket, it'll be interesting to see the double standard in the media vis-a-vis all the character assassination that occurred during Manny's prolonged rehab in 2002.

[puffyme]

http://msn.foxsports...338200?MSNHPHMA

Manager Terry Francona said Saturday that Ortiz is tentatively scheduled to return to the team on July 25, the opening game of a weekend series at Fenway against the New York Yankees.

Looks like they have put a firm date on it

[mabrowndog]

http://msn.foxsports...338200?MSNHPHMA

Manager Terry Francona said Saturday that Ortiz is tentatively scheduled to return to the team on July 25, the opening game of a weekend series at Fenway against the New York Yankees.

Looks like they have put a firm date on it

Edes just confirmed this. After the ASB, Ortiz will play 3 games in Pawtucket and 3 more in Portland (with a day off in between) before re-joining the big club. The AA games are to keep Papi local since the PawSox are hitting the road once their 4-game set with Toledo winds up on 7/20. The Sea Dogs open a 4-game series against Connecticut the next day at Hadlock.

Edited by mabrowndog, 13 July 2008 - 10:24 PM.

[Blacken]

Dammit. There was a voice in the back of my head that said "you should pick up those tickets" when a friend wanted to sell me a pair for the 22nd. But I chose instead to subscribe to SoSH...

If Ortiz does take 10 days at Pawtucket, it'll be interesting to see the double standard in the media vis-a-vis all the character assassination that occurred during Manny's prolonged rehab in 2002.

I agree that it'll be interesting to see, but I don't think the double standard is really surprising to anyone--is it? I mean, you've got Shank--who occasionally doesn't hate Manny, but generally treats his life as a Crime In Progress--and the rest of the columnist jackasses who look for reasons to jump on Manny (and did even then) for a lot of reasons, not least the way he brushed them off for so many years. On the other hand, you've got big goofy lovable David Ortiz who the majority of Planet Earth, let alone Sox-related folk, just want to hug.

[Skiponzo]

Today's game just ended, but with Ortiz coming back I say bring on the second half of the season now!

"I feel good," Ortiz said. "Actually, it was my first time hitting off the machine. I was acting like I normally do, locating, check swing, swing and a miss. Stuff like that. Everything was fine. That's all I need. Make sure there's no pain when I'm doing that."

"David did well," Francona said. "He did the machine, tried to simulate as much as he could, ball down and away ball up and in. He'll go with us to New York Monday and Tuesday and hit in the cage because he has some obligations as the guy who got the most (All-Star) votes to be there represent the American League and the Red Sox."

Link

[bsj]

Papi on Mike and Mike right now...

Nothing earthshattering so far. Beginning his Pawtucket stint soon. Feels much better...thinks the wrist is sound enough that even some wrist discomfort that may arise he should be able to play though for the remainder of the season...

He expects the Rays to be there the whole way.

When asked if Manny is as crazy as we all think he nodded and started laughing...but then said that the greatest players are those who take themselves away from the distraction, and Manny "being Manny" is how he does it.

Ortiz also said, while he pulls for the Pats as a fellow Boston athlete, he was a Packers fan growing up and wants Favre to play...

Edited by bsj, 14 July 2008 - 07:36 AM.

[Hairps]

David Ortiz had another round of batting practice, sending several balls into the upper deck, in advance of his rehab assignment to Pawtucket. The PawSox said only standing-room tickets remain for the games (tomorrow, Friday, Saturday) in which Ortiz is scheduled to serve as DH. Ortiz is scheduled to take Sunday off, then play three more games for Double A Portland before his projected return to the Sox July 25.

http://www.boston.co...apelbon/?page=2

[jayhoz]

According to the NESN broadcast of the Sea Dogs game; Ortiz hit a solo HR in Pawtucket.

PAWTUCKET, R.I. -- The moment couldn't have been written any better.

With a 1-2 count in the fourth inning, Red Sox slugger David Ortiz called for time and stepped out of the batter's box to gain his composure.

The sellout crowd here at McCoy Stadium started chanting "Papi! Papi! Papi!"

He stepped back in with flashbulbs going off, and on his next swing, smashed a home run to left field that hit the top of the wall before going over. The solo home run gave the Paw Sox a 1-0 lead.

Here was the at-bat against Virgil Vasquez:

1st pitch: Called strike

2nd pitch: Swing and miss, strike two

3rd pitch: Fouled off shoestrings

4th pitch: Ball, low and away

5th pitch: Home run to right field

Edit - apparently Baxter Holmes doesn't know his left from his right.

Edited by jayhoz, 17 July 2008 - 07:42 PM.

[mabrowndog]

According to the NESN broadcast of the Sea Dogs game; Ortiz hit a solo HR in Pawtucket.

Awesome. It'll be a truly glorious occasion when this thread is closed.

To borrow a line from The Shawshank Redemption, "His judgement cometh, and that right soon."

[Cuzittt]

Rehab Night 1: 1/3, HR, BB

[Hairps]

"That's my game," Ortiz said. "To be able to swing like that when I have an injury before that I can't even hold onto my bat, it's a good feeling."

In all, he saw 21 pitches and made contact on six, while nine were balls.

He said before the game he wanted to work on his timing.

How did he feel afterward?

"I saw pitches. I chased a few high fastballs, but other than that, I was taking those bad pitches. That's how you work on your timing," he said.

When Ortiz swung, it was in powerful strokes, as if he were trying to send a ball across state lines.

"I've been swinging the way I normally do," he said. "That way, if anything comes out, I can feel it and stay away from playing until I get to be fine. But everything came out pretty good."

http://www.boston.co...ck_with_a_bang/

[koufax32]

I appreciate the fact Papi had to wear one of those Mark Bellhorn helmets with both ears covered. It was like an overstuffed sausage.
The line drive looked great. I anticipate teams trying to pound him inside to see how quick his hands are.

[Cuzittt]

Just Homered to LF in Pawtucket. 1/2 with a HR and a walk today (thus far).

[Cuzittt]

He walked in the 7th... and then it started to rain. I'm sure it is coincidental.

I'm going to assume he is done for the day.

Rehab Game2: 1/2, HR, 2 BB

Rehab Stint (Total): 2/5, 2 HR, 3 BB

[SoxFanPJ]

Ortiz has hit a HR for the third straight game in his AAA rehab. It looks like the rehab for the wrist has gone well as I think one of the biggest concerns was that the lingering effects of the injury could be to sap power.

[OBPercent1]

Ortiz will not play on Sunday at McCoy has choosen to take the day off instead. Just heard on the radio on the way home from the Pawsox game.

[Cuzittt]

Rehab Day Three: 1/4, HR

Overall: 3/9, 3 HR, 3 BB

[Harry Hooper]

Get to Safeco, Papi.

[Pearl Wilson]

Get to Safeco, Papi.

You really have to wonder if they won't reconsider their original plan to send Papi to Portland.

I've got tickets to 3 of the Papi games at Hadlock starting tomorrow, and I'd love to see that ridiculous lighthouse rise up in center field a bunch of times for his dingers. But why go through that?

Part of his rehab was to make sure his wrist can sustain the load put on it when he hits the ball hard. I think we've established that. Does he have his timing back? He's been hitting AAA pitchers with whom he's not familiar, so my uneducated guess is that his timing is back. I must be missing something here.

[Cuzittt]

Part of his rehab was to make sure his wrist can sustain the load put on it when he hits the ball hard. I think we've established that. Does he have his timing back? He's been hitting AAA pitchers with whom he's not familiar, so my uneducated guess is that his timing is back. I must be missing something here.

Is it though? What does 12 Plate Appearances tell us anyway? Sure, he hit 3 HRs (his only hits in Pawtucket). Sure, he walked 3 times. It doesn't mean he feels comfortable coming back against MLB pitchers.

Now, I also realize that in the last 2 games played by the Red Sox, the offense has been dormant. David Ortiz might be able to help that. But, there is no guarantee. The Sox offense (with or without David Ortiz) has not played well on the road this year.

I would like Ortiz in the Red Sox lineup yesterday. But, I trust David Ortiz and the Red Sox front office to make the best move for everyone involved. If that means Papi goes to Portland... I'm fine with it.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

They've got 3 games in Seattle and then they come home for a big series against the Yankees. I'm sure they'd rather not send Papi on a couple of cross country flights merely because he's been good in his 12 ABs on rehab. They'll keep him here, do an eval on their day off on Thursday to make sure he's good to go, and activate him Friday for the games.