David Price seems to know what's being said about him.
The Boston Red Sox starter trolled Boston media on Monday during a postgame interview at Fenway Park. Price got nailed with a hit ball in the first inning. The ball struck his forearm and bicep. Despite the getting drilled, Price picked up the ball and threw it to first for the final out of the inning.
"You know me," Price said. "I'm the softest guy in this clubhouse. If it bothered me, I'd be out of the game. I'm soft. ... It wasn't painful. I'm fine. If it was painful, I would have come out."
That sort of chatter made radiowaves on countless occasions since Price signed his record-setting $217 million deal. Most recently, Price dealt with a circulation issues in his right hand, which led him to leave games early. Those hand issues armed Price's detractors with easy criticisms.
MORE RED SOX:
In the Sox's 8-3 win over the Blue Jays, Price threw five innings with four hits, two earned runs, four walks and four strikeouts.
Boston Red Sox
"Uh, yeah, I wasn't coming out of the game," Price said. "I can't. I'd rather blow out out there than come out. That's just where we're at."
He added: "I'm soft, period. It's not a joke. I'm soft. ... No. I'm soft. It's cold. Can't pitch. My hands tingling. Can't do my job. That's it."
Well, the debate is settled.
Price. Soft. Got it.