It's been a bad offseason for closers who've switched teams. Ryan Madson is out for the year after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and now the Red Sox are likely to be without their new closer, Andrew Bailey, for a long time because of a thumb injury.
From the Boston Globe:
Bailey has been told he needs surgery on his right thumb according to major league sources.
Bailey was examined by team doctors in Boston Monday and on Tuesday will see Dr. Robert Graham, a hand specialist at the Cleveland Clinic. If Graham agrees with the recommendation for surgery, it could happen as soon as later Tuesday.
It's very Red Sox to have writers break an injury story using major-league sources.
The Red Sox probably had an idea that Bailey could get injured at some point -- he does have a long history of injury problems -- but they have depth at the position, as earlier in the offseason they traded for Mark Melancon, who served most of last season as the Astros' closer.
Let's see if Bobby Valentine can shed some light on this:
"When a player is injured I always am very concerned and always try to make alternative plans. If he jumps right back in, then I’m pleasantly surprised"
What?
"When guys are hurt, they’re hurt and he couldn’t pitch for a couple of days, you know?"
/slowly backs away from Valentine
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