Early Sunday morning the Boston Red Sox and manager Bobby Valentine solidified their starting pitching rotation, however, it seems as if not every decision with the club's pitching staff is done. According to a major league source, closer Andrew Bailey is dealing with right thumb soreness that could put his Opening Day status in jeopardy.
The Red Sox are still gathering information on the injury as they determine how to proceed with the pitcher.
The report, which is from Boston's WEEI, also stats that a possible early-season disable list stint could be an option.
Because Bailey has not pitched in any Grapefruit League games since March 25, a season-opening stint on the 15-day disabled list could be backdated as far as March 26, with the possibility of activation from the DL as early as April 10.
Meanwhile, the Boston Globe is reporting that the thumb is some of the cause for Valentine's recent roster moves.
Manager Bobby Valentine said earlier today that an injury concern to a reliever factored into the decision to place Alfredo Aceves, formerly a starting candidate, into the bullpen. Aceves immediately becomes a strong candidate to be the club’s closer.
This injury would be Bailey's second setback of Spring Training, as earlier in camp he battled a strained lat sustained. Bailey hasn't thrown a pitch since March 26.
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