David Price Injures Arm Again, Status Unknown

The recurrence of a left forearm and elbow issue that keep David Price off the mound from last February until late in May has sidelined the starter for the Boston Red Sox again.

Following 11 mostly promising with some being dominant starts, Price was put on the Boston disabled list due to left elbow inflammation.

Price will have to undergo more examinations, but the early indications are he will not have to shut down for three months like earlier this year.

Boston manager John Farrell said he did not think the most recent setback is anything in comparison with what Price faced during spring training as far as severity is concerned. However, Farrell reiterated that it was only his opinion.

Citing rules of medical privacy, the Red Sox are not releasing too specific information about the location and nature of discomfort Price is feeling. The discomfort cropped up on Price one day after his most recent start last week.

It is close to or at the juncture of the flexor mass muscle and his elbow. On Friday, he underwent an MRI.

Dave Dombrowski the president of the Red Sox was cautiously optimistic that Price would return before the end of the regular season.

He said he did not know if he would miss the rest of the season, but was not anticipating the Price would be that long. No one has told him that, said Dombrowski.

Dombrowski quickly shot down insinuations that Boston wanted to place Price on the shelf for reasons unrelated to an injury.

Following recent revelations about the tirade by Price against Red Sox broadcaster and Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley for comments he made on the air, some expected the left-hander to be booed when he was scheduled to start on Friday.

Farrell hinted that clarity on the prognosis for Price would emerge during the early part of next week.

It is expected that Price will speak to the media prior to Saturday’s game at Fenway.

The positive initial prognosis on the veteran pitcher means the team has not changed its idea of not looking for more starting pitchers prior to the trade deadline on Monday.

Doug Fister will replace Price in the rotation for Boston.

Dombrowski added that the team had four proven starters at the Major League level in Sale, Porcello, Rodriguez and Pomeranz and Fister will be a solid addition while Price is mending.