The Boston Red Sox have announced that they plan on skipping Erik Bedard’s next start. Bedard is dealing with some discomfort in his left knee.
Bedard was acquired by the Red Sox this summer during a deadline deal with the Seattle Mariners.
The knee gave Bedard issues earlier in the year, as it caused the left-hander to hit the disabled list for nearly the entire month of July. Many thought this damaged his trade value, but the Red Sox coveted Bedard so much that they nearly dealt for him while he was still on the DL.
Bedard has started 6 games since joining arriving in Boston, maintaining an ERA of 3.66 over that span. The 32 year old said he experienced some stiffness in his left knee during his last outing Saturday against the Texas Rangers.
On the year, Bedard is 5-9 with a 3.50 ERA and WHIP of 1.22 over his 123.1 innings of work.
Boston had been working with a 6 man rotation which would help the club shoulder the load of skipping Bedard’s next start. But now the status of another starter, Josh Beckett, is unknown. Beckett was removed from yesterday’s game and is set to have his ankle examined later today.
If the club needs an extra starter when Bedard’s turn hits this Friday, Kyle Weiland seems to be the likely option. The 24 year old was added to the Red Sox roster yesterday. While pitching for Boston’s Triple-A affiliate this year, Weiland held and ERA and WHIP of 3.58 and 1.27, striking out 126 in his 128.1 innings pitched.
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