[mabrowndog]

Bowden goes in his stead tonight.

Globe

The Red Sox have made a surprising last-minute pitching change, with Michael Bowden getting the start in place of Josh Beckett tonight against the Blue Jays.

The Globe's Tony Massarotti reports that the cause is mild back spasms.

Beckett, who is 16-6 with a 3.78 ERA, was scratched from what would have been his 32d start of the season.

We should have more after manager Terry Francona's meeting with the media, so stay tuned . . .

Hopefully this is just a precautionary move, but having health questions with both Lester and Beckett isn't exactly what I had in mind for the last week of the season

[Quintanariffic]

Bowden goes in his stead tonight.

Globe



Hopefully this is just a precautionary move, but having health questions with both Lester and Beckett isn't exactly what I had in mind for the last week of the season

Ugh. This brings back bad memories of last year. If he isn't 100% healthy going into the post-season, the Sox chances of going anywhere take a huge hit.

[Paul M]

I know this has little correlation to this particular problem, but froms heer appearance he just looks like he's out of shape and I wonder how he will age going forward? Maybe he just looks more out of shape than he really is, but I saw a shot of him yesterday and he just didn't look very fit. More importantly, though, this team has to have its top two starters close to 100% to have a shot and that's maybe questionable right now.

[BoSoxFink]

I know this has little correlation to this particular problem, but froms heer appearance he just looks like he's out of shape and I wonder how he will age going forward? Maybe he just looks more out of shape than he really is, but I saw a shot of him yesterday and he just didn't look very fit. More importantly, though, this team has to have its top two starters close to 100% to have a shot and that's maybe questionable right now.

David Wells says hello

[donutogre]

Not to mention that the whole "message board poster assessing the physical shape of Red Sox pitchers" thing is getting a little old, IMO. None of us really know how in shape he is compared to where he 'should' be. Considering he's been quite healthy this year, I think it is pretty ridiculous to bring it up now because he happens to have a balky back.

[dynomite]

Well... on the bright side we get to have a larger sample size for Bowden when considering the final bullpen spot for the playoffs. Interested to see how the kid does with his new slider.

[TheYellowDart5]

Of course, this could just be Beckett telling Francona that his back feels a little tight and the team deciding not to risk anything with the playoffs approaching. Or just a way of the Sox giving Beckett a break (especially given that he's thrown a career high in innings this year).

That said, we've already seen what happens to this team's World Series chances with an ineffective Beckett. If he's well and truly hurt, this team's done.

[Toe Nash]

Of course, this could just be Beckett telling Francona that his back feels a little tight and the team deciding not to risk anything with the playoffs approaching. Or just a way of the Sox giving Beckett a break (especially given that he's thrown a career high in innings this year).

That said, we've already seen what happens to this team's World Series chances with an ineffective Beckett. If he's well and truly hurt, this team's done.

Yeah, with an ineffective Beckett they come within 2 runs and a ridiculous Matt Garza start of the World Series. Francona should book his October tee times now.

[CaptainLaddie]

David Wells says hello

This has no bearing on Josh Beckett. Beckett is a different player altogether.

[Adirondack jack]

Well... on the bright side we get to have a larger sample size for Bowden when considering the final bullpen spot for the playoffs. Interested to see how the kid does with his new slider.

Given that Bowden has had just 2 days off since his last appearance, in which he threw 55 pitches, how much will he be able to give the Sox tonight as a starter? Let's hope he can mow down a few quickly and he doesn't burn up the 'pen too much. Seems like 5 innings would be very optimistic with his erratic use of late.

Agree that this will help regarding the roster eval for that last spot. Of course, that is assuming Beckett and Lester's health isn't a major concern*. Hopefully, this is a case of being overly cautious with one of the staff ringers.

edit: *issue, probably a better word then concern. If this is anything other than aligning Beckett for game #1, hedging Lester's health or being cautious to a minor twinge, this certainly is a concern.

This post has been edited by Adirondack jack: 28 September 2009 - 05:39 PM

[koufax32]

Given that Bowden has had just 2 days off since his last appearance, in which he threw 55 pitches, how much will he be able to give the Sox tonight as a starter? Let's hope he can mow down a few quickly and he doesn't burn up the 'pen too much. Seems like 5 innings would be very optimistic with his erratic use of late.

Agree that this will help regarding the roster eval for that last spot. Of course, that is assuming Beckett and Lester's health isn't a major concern*. Hopefully, this is a case of being overly cautious with one of the staff ringers.

edit: *issue, probably a better word then concern. If this is anything other than aligning Beckett for game #1, hedging Lester's health or being cautious to a minor twinge, this certainly is a concern.

I think we have a winner here.

Beckett: "I think I slept wrong last night, Tito. My back won't loosen up and Heidi's massages didn't help."

Tito and Theo: (aside) hmmm...lack of success against TOR, Lester health problems to where we don't know if he can go in game 1, legit excuse... "okay Josh. I think the best thing to do would be bump you back a few days."

Of course this all goes out the window if he shows up against CLE throwing 91-92. BJ Upton says hello.

[reggiecleveland]

This has no bearing on Josh Beckett. Beckett is a different player altogether.

No kidding. There are rules of logic and math that show the meaningless of a single contrary example.

[Rough Carrigan]

Assuming that the back spasms have no lasting effects . . . I love it. Get him some extra rest. Get him strong as a frigging bull for the 2009 ALDS like he was for the 2007 ALDS.

This post has been edited by Rough Carrigan: 28 September 2009 - 06:19 PM

[Rough Carrigan]

I think we have a winner here.

Beckett: "I think I slept wrong last night, Tito. My back won't loosen up and Heidi's massages didn't help."

Tito: (aside) Hope she wasn't massaging you the way she massaged Green. He can barely frigging walk now. And look at Tek!

Theo: Well, leaving aside the developing black widow thesis, let's see, hmmm...lack of success against TOR, Lester health problems to where we don't know if he can go in game 1, legit excuse... "okay Josh. I think the best thing to do would be bump you back a few days."

Later poster's embellishment!

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Given that Bowden has had just 2 days off since his last appearance, in which he threw 55 pitches, how much will he be able to give the Sox tonight as a starter? Let's hope he can mow down a few quickly and he doesn't burn up the 'pen too much. Seems like 5 innings would be very optimistic with his erratic use of late.

Sadly Bowden's been shit in the first inning and has already put the Sox in a big hole. 5 innings looks wildly optimistic.

I dunno, the timing on this injury to Beckett sucks pretty badly. Is he going to get the back loosened up in time for a tuneup start before the playoffs? If it affects him anywhere close to the way his oblique injury affected him last October then I fear for our postseason chances.

[dynomite]

Well... on the bright side we get to have a larger sample size for Bowden when considering the final bullpen spot for the playoffs. Interested to see how the kid does with his new slider.

Well... um... the sample size is larger...

WE CAN BUILD ON THIS

[jimc]

From Amalie:

Beckett just talked. Thinks there won't be a problem with Saturday's start and could even start earlier if needed. #redsox

I doubt they'd throw him before Saturday with Lester seemingly OK and on track for game 1 of the playoffs, but good news from Beckett in any case.

This post has been edited by jimc: 29 September 2009 - 04:31 PM

[Frisbetarian]

Apparently, Beckett had 3 cortisone shots in his back today and says, "It's not a big deal at all." He plans to make his next start and, "added it was the first time he's had a cortisone shot this year. The last shot he had was last fall when he had an oblique injury" which I seem to remember him saying was also not a big deal at all.

Gulp

Source

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Apparently, Beckett had 3 cortisone shots in his back today and says, "It's not a big deal at all." He plans to make his next start and, "added it was the first time he's had a cortisone shot this year. The last shot he had was last fall when he had an oblique injury" which I seem to remember him saying was also not a big deal at all.

Gulp

Source

This is a pain in the upper back though, not the oblique. Completely different scenario.

[Frisbetarian]

This is a pain in the upper back though, not the oblique. Completely different scenario.

Is it normal for a person to get 3 cortisone shots for a stiff back caused by a New York to Boston plane trip?