By Erin K. Blakeley, Shoulder1 Staff
Pedro Martinez is to the Red Sox what Clam Chowder is to the local cuisine; Boston would not be the same without either of them
But this weekend, the Red Sox have no choice but to take the field without their ace pitcher. The two-time consecutive Cy Young winner will sit out this Friday’s start due to complaints of soreness in his throwing shoulder. Reports in the media in Boston suggest that Pedro may be making a trip to the disabled list, his third trip in as many seasons.
When asked if there was any truth to the rumors about Pedro going to the disabled list, Red Sox manager Jimy Williams postponed comment, telling the Associated Press, “Let’s just give him a few more days.”
Trouble started for Pedro last Saturday against the Phillies. After pitching eight innings, he left the game complaining of soreness in his shoulder. Williams noticed that Pedro’s pitches were lacking their normal speed. The Sox lost the game, 5-2.
The Red Sox hope that by missing a start, Pedro will gain the rest he needs in order to return to the line-up. Pedro leads the American League with a 2.01 ERA. The right-handed pitcher has a 7-2 record and has fanned 140 batters, more than any other pitcher in the American League. Although it is still relatively early in the season, many in the Red Six camp feel like this year’s team represents a great chance for the Sox to make it to the World Series. One thing is for certain—it will be a struggle for them to make it into the playoffs without Pedro.
