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John Lackey May Need Tommy John Surgery, Terry Francona Denies Report

One day, John Lackey needs Tommy John surgery. The next, he doesn't? That's the story according to Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona, as well as the big hurler himself. Lackey has a 5-7 record with a 6.81 ERA and 43 strikeouts this season. Read more at Over The Monster.

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Terry Francona, John Lackey Deny Tommy John Surgery Rumors

One day, John Lackey needs Tommy John surgery. The next, he doesn't? That's the story according to Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona, as well as the big hurler himself.

Peter Gammons of NESN and MLB Network reported on Wednesday that Lackey may need Tommy John surgerybefore too long, but all the parties involved in the Red Sox club house denied that rumor.

"He's pitching tonight. I don't have a good answer for that other than 'no,' " Francona said when asked if Lackey might need Tommy John surgery. "Guys go through aches and pains, that's the way the game is. If it ever gets to the point with anybody that it gets in the way we do something about it. We don't usually work six weeks ahead on the surgeries. It's probably not the way it works, you know, 'Go get 'em Lack, because you've got six more starts and then we're giving you Tommy John.' " (via WEEI)

Lackey, who tossed seven and two thirds quality innings in a 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night, also denied the report, saying that Gammons' words were false.

"It's a possibility for everybody in here. You can throw that against the wall and see if it sticks. He straight made that up," said Lackey, who allowed two runs over 7 2/3 innings in the loss. (via WEEI)

For more Boston Red Sox coverage, visit our team page and blog, Over The Monster.

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Red Sox' John Lackey May Need Tommy John Surgery

John Lackey has been plain awful at points throughout the season, but according to Peter Gammons of NESN and MLB Network, that could be due to his lingering elbow issue.

Gammons said that Lackey, who has a 5-6 record with a sky-high 7.36 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 11 starts, may need Tommy John surgery before too long.

"With all the problems with Lackey's elbow, is this guy going to end up needing Tommy John surgery before August? That's something they have to decide," said Gammons. "They've already lost Matsuzaka, and Lackey's been a physical issue all year. ...

"I've had indications that there are some questions about just how healthy [Lackey is]. We know he was disabled with the elbow problem. We know he had the shot," Gammons added. "I thought his last start, the rain day, he seemed really distracted. ... That was a lost day entirely. How much of it is health? How much of it is personal? We don't know. I think this is something that will need to play out over the next two or three weeks or so. If the elbow is barking, that creates a pretty serious problem for them. That's where [Andrew] Miller and [Felix] Doubront and people like that become very important for them." (via WEEI)

For more Boston Red Sox coverage, visit our team page and blog, Over The Monster.

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