Sox Drawer: Injury updates, news & notes

I haven't posted in a while because the Sox were off yesterday and my son had his final LL All Star game last night, so I took a personal day from blogging to recharge the batteries.

But there has been quite a bit going on with the team since I last posted, so let me run through what I failed to cover.

-Schilling surgery successful, could throw again by January
Curt Schilling underwent surgery to his ripped right shoulder, and by all accounts the procedure was a smashing success. I won't go into details, as you can get that kind of shit anywhere, but suffice it to say that things went so well that Curt could be back throwing a baseball by the beginning of next year if his rehab works the way it's supposed to.

Now Schill is so giddy, because it's obvious that he and his doctor were right while the Sox brass was wrong regarding the course of action the injured ace should take to heal his wounded wing, that he says he might indeed play again, either with Boston or somewhere else.

"It's what I do. It's what I've done my whole life. It's what I enjoy doing. (But) If I come out of rehab and I'm throwing 84 miles per hour, it's over."

Translation: if I can pitch effectively, I'll be back.

I'm not going to get too deep into this because there is so much that could happen between now and then. But if and when Schill decides to play again, there will be so many words written about it it will make War and Peace look like a pamphlet.

Just as long as you don't go to NY, Schill, we'll be cool.

-Big Papi improving, can smell return to lineup
After taking some swings at a ball on a tee at Fenway the other day, David Ortiz declared he could be ready to play in 2-3 weeks, once again if all goes according to plan.

He has already had the hard cast he was sporting on his injured left wrist removed and now wears a removable splint thingy, and although he wasn't impressed with barely being able to do something my son's team executes with regularity, soft- tossing and hitting off a tee, he knows he gotta take baby steps before he can walk.

Barring setbacks Papi could be back with the team in a couple or three weeks, which would put him on track for a possible post-All Star game return. Boston opens up a series with Toronto at Fenway on Friday after the break, and wouldn't it be nice to see Ortiz in the lineup to kick off that home stand?

Fingers crossed.

-Sox bid adieu to Interleague play after this weekend
Boston travels to Houston to play the explosive Astros starting tonight, and thankfully this will be the final time pitchers have to bat for the Sox.

Granted Boston has had some success playing the senior circuit this season, posting a 10-5 record despite losing 3 of its last 6 IL contests, but I for one am looking forward to playing teams I know and hate like New York and the Rays.

-Hot and not hot Sox
Heading into this series with the Astros, here's a look at the Sox who are lighting it up or stinking it up at the moment. (based on the last 10 games)

Smokin Sox:

-Dustin Pedroia 20-43 (.465), 3HR, 5BI, 8R
The Little Big Man is swinging the hottest stick on the Sox by far right now; he's had multi-hit games in 6 of the last 10 contests

-Mike Lowell 13-36 (.361), 2 2B, 1HR, 5BI, 8R
Good to see the WS MVP getting back to his old self after spending time on the DL

-Coco Crisp 12-35 (.342), 3 2B, 1 3B, 3HR, 7BI, 6R
Looks like the Raysbrawl sparked the part time center fielder's bat. Too bad he'll have to sit out his suspension for his part in the brawl pretty soon, possibly this weekend

-Kevin Youkikis 11-36 (.305), 4HR, 9BI
Only a ball to the eye could slow down the Cincinnati Crusher

Stinkin' Sox:

-Jason Varitek 3-33 (.090), HR, 4BI
The Captain did have the game-winning hit the other night against Arizona, but this has been one of the worst slumps of his career

-Manny Ramirez 7-33 (.212), 0HR, 1BI
The slugger hasn't homered since June 10th (12 games), leading one to believe his hammy is bothering him more than he's letting on. We'll have to see how much he plays with no DH this weekend

-J.D. Drew 10-38 (.263), 4HR, 8BI
Started to cool off the last week after a torrid start to June; is only 2 for his last 19 at bats

-Jacoby Ellsbury 10-42 (.238), 1HR, 1BI, 1BB, 5R
The average would be okay if he were walking and scoring runs, which you can see for yourself, he is not

That's about it for updates. Gotta get ready for the series preview post.

GO SOX!