The Boston Red Sox will begin the 2012 season without closer Andrew Bailey, whom they acquired from the Oakland A’s in an offseason trade.
According to The Boston Globe, the righthander has been told by team doctors that he needs surgery on his pitching thumb. If a second opinion from a hand specialist Tuesday results in the same diagnosis, Bailey could have surgery as soon as Tuesday. If it uncertain how long Bailey would be sidelined if he has the surgery. Even if he elects to not have the surgery, he is all but certain to begin the season on the disabled list.
“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,” manager Bobby Valentine told the newspaper “When guys are hurt, they’re hurt and he couldn’t pitch for a couple of days, you know?”
Bailey last pitched on Wednesday, and it isn’t clear when he suffered the injury. In Bailey’s absence, setup men Alfredo Aceves and Mark Melancon could share the ninth-inning duties. Aceves served as a spot starter and multi-inning reliever for the Red Sox last season, while Melancon saved 20 games for the Houston Astros. Bailey was acquired to replace Jonathan Papelbon, who saved 219 games for Boston since the 2006 season but signed a four-year, $50 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies this past offseason.
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