Injuries, Poor Pitching Plague Sox Spring

It’s only March 10th, but there is still an unsettled feeling in Red Sox Nation.

First there are the injuries: Schilling is out for who knows how long, maybe forever. Then there are Beckett’s back woes. Sure he’s listed as day to day, but back injuries have a habit of sticking around. Speaking of back injuries, Julio Lugo is set to see team physician Thomas Gil about his own back problems. Then there’s Coco. I shouldn’t worry about Coco’s injury because he’s on his way out of Red Sox Nation, right? But who wants to trade for damaged goods? According to Tito, Crisp, has trouble running straight forward. He told the ProJo, “the burst forward is still not in a position where we want him to try to do something in a game. He’s just not ready.”

Injuries are part of baseball. They are to be expected. I wouldn’t be too concerned with the injuries if the uninjured guys were performing well. But they are not. The Sox are 3-8 so far this spring. The main reason for the poor record? Pitching. Buccholz has been shaky, so has Lester, Snyder, Hansen and Tavarez. (each with Spring ERA’s over 7.50) Additionally, Dice-K struggled yesterday.

The Sox bats have been pretty quiet also. Pedroia is the only Sox starter from last year with 3 RBI’s this Spring.

With the gloomy mood in Fort. Myers resulting from the recent poor performances, there are some bright spots: Wake, Delcarmen and Masterson have looked good so far.

Things aren’t likely to improve much today the Sox face the Mets and their newly acquired ace, Johan Santana.

It’s only March 10th, but I’m feeling a little nervous.