Team, Doctor At Odds Over Shoulder Treatment
POSTED: 12:25 pm EST February 8, 2008
BOSTON -- Curt Schilling's doctor told a radio audience on Friday that he could be done pitching no matter what course of treatment is chosen for the Red Sox pitching ace's ailing right shoulder.
The team is pushing for rehabilitation, but Schilling's long-time doctor Craig Morgan said that would only prolong the pitcher's recovery and surgery is needed.
"The real issue here is if you blow six or eight weeks trying that to see, and it isn't successful, then if you try to pull the trigger on surgery, you have lost six to eight weeks and then the season may be gone," Morgan told WEEI radio.
Neither Schilling nor the team has commented on exactly what is wrong with his shoulder.
Writing on his blog, 38pitches.com, Schilling said Thursday night that he has agreed to abide by the club's request to rely on rest and rehabilitation.
"There have been disagreements these past few weeks in an effort to provide me with a solution that would allow me to pitch as much as possible during the 2008 season," Schilling wrote. "At no time did I ever consider taking a course of action against the club's wishes. In the end, regardless of who agreed with whom, I have chosen the club's course of action and will vigorously pursue any and every option I can to be able to help this team to another World Series title in 2008."
Red Sox officials have declined to comment other than to issue a two-sentence statement Thursday night confirming that Schilling is injured.
"Curt Schilling was examined by Red Sox doctors in January after he reported feeling right shoulder discomfort," the team said. "Curt has started a program of rest, rehabilitation and shoulder strengthening in an attempt to return to pitching."
"What you do now is going to determine all of these issues. You have to understand, he may be done pitching no matter what," Morgan told WEEI radio.
The Boston Herald reported Thursday that the injury was serious enough to consider surgery that could keep him out for the whole 2008 season. The Boston Globe reported later that even without surgery Schilling would be out until at least the All-Star break.
Schilling, who spent seven weeks on the disabled list with right shoulder tendonitis last year, went 9-8 with a 3.87 ERA during the regular season last year. In the playoffs, he went 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA to help the Red Sox win their second World Series in four seasons.
He agreed in November to a one-year, $8 million contract that allows him to earn an addition $5 million in performance and weight bonuses. The 41-year-old right-hander has said that this will be his last year.
Schilling said he passed all physical exams when he negotiated his new contract.
The co-MVP of the 2001 World Series and a star in both of Boston's recent titles, Schilling became a free agent after the '07 Series but agreed to a deal that included $5 million in weight and performance incentives. The Red Sox questioned whether Schilling's offseason conditioning last winter was responsible for his dropoff in the '07 regular season.
The Red Sox had discussed -- and dismissed -- the idea of using a six-man rotation this year. With Schilling out for an extended period of time, they are expected to rely on Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jon Lester, Tim Wakefield and Clay Buchholz.
BOSTON -- Red Sox starter Curt Schilling will get all of the $8 million the team owes him for 2008, regardless of whether he pitches or not.
The Boston Globe reported that Schilling's contract is not insured, meaning the team will have to pay him unless he decides to retire.
Schilling will miss at least the first half of the season because of an injured right shoulder.
He is expected to report to spring training Thursday with the rest of the pitchers and catchers.
Schilling Surgery To End Season, Possibly Career
Ace Tells Radio Host Operation Planned
POSTED: 9:37 am EDT June 20, 2008
UPDATED: 10:39 am EDT June 20, 2008
BOSTON -- Red Sox pitching ace Curt Schilling told a Boston sports radio host Friday morning that he's scheduled to have shoulder surgery next Monday that will likely end his season and possibly his career.
On WEEI radio's "Dennis & Callahan Show," Schilling said, "We're still nailing down exactly what kind of surgery it's going to be."
When asked if he thought it would end his season, Schilling said yes.
"My season is over and there is a pretty decent chance I have thrown my last pitch forever," he said.
SportsCenter 5 learned that the right shoulder surgery will take place on June 23.
"If you use a scale of 1-10 and 10 is pitching in the big leagues, I'm at about 3 right now," Schilling said.
There was no mention of the pending surgery on Schilling's personal blog, 38 Pitches. But late last week, the 41-year-old right-hander seemed optimistic about his rehabilitation writing on his blog that he looked forward to facing hitters this week.
"Threw 40 pitches off the mound yesterday," Schilling wrote June 11. "Wasn't a great day and didn't feel all that well but I am writing that off as just an off day or bad day, which I guess is all part of the rehab thing. Plan is to throw again Friday and gear up to face hitters at some point late next week if everything stays on schedule."
The Red Sox confirmed in January that Schilling, who led the team to two World Series championships in the past three years, has a shoulder injury.
"Curt Schilling was examined by Red Sox doctors in January after he reported feeling right shoulder discomfort. Curt has started a program of rest, rehabilitation and shoulder strengthening in an attempt to return to pitching," the team said at the time in a statement.
After seeking an outside opinion, the team and Schilling agreed to try a program of rehabilitation and therapy, which they said they hoped might have the pitcher throwing again by the All-Star Break.
***8 million dollars to reward him for the 2 World Series he got paid to be in and win anyway! Sad, esp when there are 26 yes, 26 VERY GOOD minor league prospects whose contracts are controlled by the Sox and 8 million can make a lot of minor leaguers loyal and productive.Schilling should have gotten a nice hug and a "thanks but no thanks" and a ride into the sunset. BC
BC
