Youkilis Tears Rare Thumb Muscle, Could End Season

[Yawkey Way]

Aug 3, 2010

The latest twist in the Red Sox' season of injury may have been the topper of them all.

Kevin Youkilis suffered a tear of the muscle that helps contract his right thumb during his first at-bat Monday night, an injury the team medical staff described as rare and one they're not quite sure how to treat.

"They're searching for some answers because this is, I think, quite rare," said manager Terry Francona. "How it happened is a little hard to explain."

Update: General manager Theo Epstein told reporters late Tuesday afternoon that Youkilis will be examined by a hand specialist. If the doctor recommends surgery, Youkilis will have the operation and his season will be over. The team is worried he could do serious, career-altering damage if he reinjures the thumb before it's completely healed.

The Sox placed Youkilis on the 15-day disabled list -- opening both a roster spot and, on Tuesday night at least, a place in the lineup for Mike Lowell -- and hope that two weeks of rest will cure the injury,

"In the meantime, there's no way we're going to let him play and take a swing and hurt his career," said Francona.

Youkilis is one of the team's important hitters, currently batting .307 with 19 home runs, 62 RBI, a .411 on-base percentage and a .564 slugging percentage. His loss -- he is the sixth member of the Opening Night lineup to hit the disabled list, and, with the exception of Dustin Pedroia, perhaps the most important -- will certainly dim the Sox' chances of making up ground in both the A.L. East and wild-card races.

Well what do you fucking know. Just when more than half the Opening Day lineup has hit the DL and we are without Pedroia and Ellsbury, the big whammy hits us. Youkilis was needed in this line up. Everyone else went down and he was the rock, continuing to produce no matter who was around him. What do we do from here? Re-Sign Brian Daubach, ask Scott Hatteberg if he has anything left in the tank? a

At least Mikey Lowell will finally get back in the line-up, he got the shaft all year long. He doesn't need to move too much at first base and still is a quality bat so the blow might not hurt that badly but you can't replace a hitter like Youkilis especially if he's gone the remainder of the year. Just the kind of season Boston has been having. Here's to the Mike Lowell/Jed Lowrie platoon at first base /whiney rant.

 

[Yawkey Way]

update: Lowell gets standing ovation before at-bat, then proceeds to belt the first pitch into the Monster. Typical badass Mike Lowell.

 

[Youk]

:youk:

 

[MvP]

Time to just give up on the season. Get those guys ready for next year.

 

[Youk]

Shut him down for the season if you need to. I know it's August, but Youk will be a huge part of this team for the next few years, and there is no need to jeopardize that. For now, Lowell at 1B is a viable option, and fuck it, bring up Lars Anderson as a September call-up.

There is no need to strain the roster and have players come back early when the race isn't as close as it seems.

 

[Yawkey Way]

I'm perplexed as to why it almsot seems like you think this race is a wash. The Sox pitching has been for the most part very solid and throughout all of this injury hooplah we find ourselves only 6 games out. The Rays have proven to be a streaky team, what happens if they go on a losing streak? It's obvious they aren't going to rush Youk back seeing as they immediately placed him on the DL, but I don't think its worth shutting him down if he can come back with no pain. The same goes for everyone on the DL, get them back and see what we can do in the last month and a half or so.

 

[Youk]

I'm perplexed as to why it almsot seems like you think this race is a wash. The Sox pitching has been for the most part very solid and throughout all of this injury hooplah we find ourselves only 6 games out. The Rays have proven to be a streaky team, what happens if they go on a losing streak? It's obvious they aren't going to rush Youk back seeing as they immediately placed him on the DL, but I don't think its worth shutting him down if he can come back with no pain. The same goes for everyone on the DL, get them back and see what we can do in the last month and a half or so.

You've rallied me.

:youk:

 

[Goober]

Fuck the Yankees.

 

[stevsta]

Fuck Boston

 

[Anthony]

1 Pennant, 0 World Series. I also feel your pain.

 

[killgod]

fuck you Boston.

 

[PP]

jew

 

[Yawkey Way]

this thread defines how bad VSN has become.

 

[Yawkey Way]

Just got the text from ESPN/Boston Globe, it appears Youkilis will be done for the year with season ending thumb surgery. Just our luck that our best player requires season ending surgery for a rare injury in his thumb for all places. Sets us up nicely for the yankees series.





fuck.

 

[kyhadley]

FFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

 

[killgod]

that's what happens you have a faggot ass batting stance