Admit it, you feel this way too.

What the bloody hell is going on with this Red Sox pitching staff?

First Andrew Bailey has a thumb injury… and then, as if it’s some sort of thumb virus, it hits Beckett too. And now the report coming out of the Boston Globe? Andrew Bailey now might need surgery on his bad thumb. He’ll be making a trip to visit a hand specialist in Cleveland tomorrow to get another opinion. I really hope this opinion says no surgery because at this point, our pitching staff is going to hell in a handbasket fast.

Bobby V. appears a bit worried too.

 

“When a player is injured I always am very concerned and always try to make alternative plans. If he jumps right back in, then I’m pleasantly surprised,” he said “When guys are hurt, they’re hurt and he couldn’t pitch for a couple of days, you know? I’m not sure how long.”

(Huh? Is it just me or does this quote make it seem that maybe English isn’t Bobby’s first language? Weird…)

So it looks like closing duties will fall to Mark Melancon for the first part of the season, especially if Beckett sits out a few starts and Alfredo Aceves needs to fill his shoes. That’s no problem. Melancon swims with sharks for crying out loud… this closer’s gig should be a breeze.

On a more positive note, the Red Sox ended their spring training schedule with a 4-2 win over the Washington Nationals. Aaron Cook, who was assigned to Pawtucket just yesterday, pitched 5 strong innings, giving up just 1 run on 2 hits while lowering his spring ERA to 1.88. I bet Coach Beyeler down in Pawtucket is licking his chops at the talent he’ll be getting to start his season. But depending on what happens with this thumb virus, Cook could be heading up I-95 before he even makes a start for the Paw Sox.

Adrian Gonzalez looks ready to pick up right where he left off last year going 2 for 2 against the Nats and raising his spring average to .357. Of the three stars for the Sox over the past two months — Darnell McDonald (.472 BA, 1.398 OPS), Pedro Ciriaco (.429 BA, 1.121 OPS) and Ryan Lavarnway (.429 BA, .974 OPS) — only one, McDonald, sits poised to start the season in Boston. Like I said… the folks in Pawtucket are salivating!

The team will make just one more stop before Opening Day — an exhibition game in DC against the Nationals. And then it’s off to the Motor City for a 3-game series against the Tigers to kick off the 2012 season! Yeehaw!