Smith suffers setback
Soreness forces reliever to slow rehab
Rehabbing in Florida, 11 months removed from Tommy John surgery, Carson Smith became a kind of forgotten man on the Red Sox roster. No news is usually good news when it comes to players returning from injury.
Well, yesterday, there was news. And it wasn’t good.
Smith’s rehab hit a snag roughly two weeks ago when he felt renewed soreness. He’s stopped throwing bullpens and is trying to rebuild strength through a long toss program.
“He’s had to slow down,” manager John Farrell said. “Once he got on the mound with some aggression and good intensity, was throwing the ball well, and as a result there’s been some soreness that has kind of reared its head. So (we) have had to back him off.”
A minor setback like this is not particularly unusual for a pitcher returning from Tommy John surgery, and the Red Sox do not seem to think Smith’s snag is problematic.
Smith is with the team at Fenway Park, and he could be back on a mound relatively soon. His long toss is up to 110 feet; the team typically gets pitchers to 150 before putting them in a bullpen.
“We’re hopeful that in the very near future that mound progression resumes,” Farrell said.
Smith was acquired from Seattle before last season in a trade headlined by starter Wade Miley. His 2015 season had been a breakout when he’d stepped into Mariners closer role for a while, and he was expected to be a key set-up man here, but Smith abruptly needed elbow surgery at the end of May.
“The unique thing about Tommy John recovery is that every situation is going to be different,” Farrell said. “In this case, we’ve had to take a step back a little bit and get back to flat ground.”
Infield comes together
Dustin Pedroia was back at second base and at the top of the lineup for last night’s 3-0 loss to the Yankees, his first game since Manny Machado slid into his left leg on Friday. He went 0-for-4 and turned two double plays, one of them with massive Aaron Judge sliding into his legs.
Pedroia’s return got the Red Sox infield closer to full strength, but the team still made a move to add some depth by claiming utility man
Chase d’Arnaud off waivers from the Braves. Through parts of six big league seasons, d’Arnaud has hit just .231, but he’s spent time at second base, third base, shortstop and all three outfield positions. He’s expected to be activated today.
“Given the injuries that we’ve sustained of late,” Farrell said, “some temporary situations with other guys that (have) some maintenance involved, feel like his versatility to move around the infield, it gives us a little bit more flexibility in game if that situation does arise.” Both Brock Holt and Pablo Sandoval are on the disabled list, and at times Pedroia’s injury left the Red Sox without a true backup infielder. d’Arnaud helps address that shortage, and soon, Holt could solve it. He’s on the disabled list with vertigo, but took ground balls yesterday and could begin a rehab assignment in the next few days.
There’s still no timetable for Sandoval’s return from a right knee sprain.
Price ready for live hitters
David Price’s return from a sore elbow will take its most significant step tomorrow, when he’s scheduled to face live hitters for the first time. From that point forward, he’ll work on something like a starter’s regular schedule, with heavy work sessions every five days.
“He’ll warm up as he would normally in a bullpen and go two times 15 (pitches) for two simulated innings here (tomorrow),” Farrell said. “We’ll see how he gets through (tomorrow) and map out the next session five times from then.” . . .
Pitching prospect Kevin Steen has been hospitalized since a serious car accident outside Fort Myers late Wednesday night. The 20-year-old ninth-round draft pick made 14 starts for Lowell last year.
“He’s going through some surgery,” Farrell said. “Just an unfortunate situation. Kind of bad place, bad time. I know he’s a very upbeat, positive young guy. Our thoughts are certainly with him and his family. It’s kind of a tragic accident, to be honest with you.”
The Red Sox did not announce the extent of Steen’s injuries, but a Florida news outlet reported he was in critical condition after another driver swerved and crashed into his SUV. The other driver reportedly died in the crash.