RME JICO Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=ApAB...p&type=lgns BOSTON (AP) -- Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek will have surgery for torn cartilage in his left knee, leaving Boston without one of its important players in the postseason chase. Manager Terry Francona said he hoped the surgery would be Thursday but he gave no information on when Varitek might return. "He was examined (Tuesday) morning and they found, I guess, a partial tear in the meniscus," Francona said after Boston's 6-3 loss to the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night. "We'll know, certainly, a lot more on the timetable after they go in and get him cleaned up." Francona said Varitek's knee "has been bothering him for a while." He hurt it rounding second base in the second inning of Monday night's 9-8 win over Cleveland. He later scored on Wily Mo Pena's triple and played the field in the top of the third before Doug Mirabelli pinch hit for him in the bottom of the inning. Varitek, who played in 85 of Boston's first 104 games, went on the disabled list Tuesday. Mirabelli, who is hitting .181, started Tuesday and Ken Huckaby was called up from Triple-A Pawtucket to take Varitek's roster spot. Huckaby was hitting .207 with two homers and 16 RBIs in 68 games with Pawtucket. "I'm fully prepared to play every day," Mirabelli said, although he hasn't been told how much he will be used. "It's tough on a team, no doubt about it," he said. "We've got two big guns out right now in Trot and Jason as far as everyday guys, let alone with our starting rotation." Varitek is considered an outstanding handler of pitchers but struggled at the plate. He is batting .243 with 11 homers and 50 RBIs. He began the season with a .272 career average with 119 homers in eight seasons, all with Boston. "His presence is huge here for me," Mirabelli said, "just the support that he can give me and some leadership that maybe I don't see that he's been in there every day. He's been in the grind and he knows these (opposing) teams so I'm going to (rely) on him a lot." Mirabelli entered the season with a .241 career batting average and spent the last five seasons with Boston, primarily as knuckleballer Wakefield's personal catcher. He was traded in the offseason to San Diego for second baseman Mark Loretta. But when his replacement as Varitek's backup, Josh Bard, had trouble handling the knuckleball, the Red Sox traded for Mirabelli on May 1, sending Bard and reliever Cla Meredith to the Padres. "I think everybody in this clubhouse believes that Dougie can step right in and get the job done," outfielder Gabe Kapler said. But Varitek is better. "He's certainly important. I mean that's why they put that `C' on his jersey," Francona said of the team captain. "I think that we're good enough where we'll overcome thing like this." Wow, that is a huge loss for the Sawks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 Mirabeli is not an adequate replacement as an everyday player. I wonder if there are any catchers out there that are decent enough who would slide through waivers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milkman delivers Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 Chris Widger is available. Now wouldn't that be hilarious? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregory Pratt Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Aug 2, 2006 -> 12:04 PM) Chris Widger is available. Now wouldn't that be hilarious? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackie hayes Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 Javy Lopez? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 QUOTE(jackie hayes @ Aug 2, 2006 -> 10:29 AM) Javy Lopez? Didn't they already trade David Riske for him? Seriously, a.) you think they'd really go for him and b.) you think he could clear waivers? I think he'd get through waivers, but I'm just not sure Boston's willing to panic and give up anything and take on that contract all at once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackie hayes Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Aug 2, 2006 -> 01:38 PM) Didn't they already trade David Riske for him? Seriously, a.) you think they'd really go for him and b.) you think he could clear waivers? I think he'd get through waivers, but I'm just not sure Boston's willing to panic and give up anything and take on that contract all at once. Lol. I think he'll clear waivers. Baltimore has said they were willing to pay some of his contract, and still had no takers. But I don't know about (a). I can't imagine they'll find a better bat at the position, and his defense is passable. (His cera doesn't look very good, but keep in mind, this is Baltimore's pitching staff.) He's only got about $3 million left on the contract. If Boston decides they really need a catcher, that seems like an amount they could swallow. It's just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Aug 2, 2006 -> 12:38 PM) Didn't they already trade David Riske for him? Seriously, a.) you think they'd really go for him and b.) you think he could clear waivers? I think he'd get through waivers, but I'm just not sure Boston's willing to panic and give up anything and take on that contract all at once. No one will claim Lopez, unless its the Yanks were trying to block the Red Sox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milkman delivers Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 Wait, does it even say in the article that he may be out for the year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullcollapse Posted August 3, 2006 Share Posted August 3, 2006 QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Aug 2, 2006 -> 01:20 PM) Wait, does it even say in the article that he may be out for the year? i remember hearing they were going to scope it, for which the recovery time is much shorter. i'll have to see if i can find anything to back that up though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonik22 Posted August 3, 2006 Share Posted August 3, 2006 i'm almost positive BBTN said he'd be out a month Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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