David Price’s second year with the Red Sox isn’t starting off so well. ESPN’s Jim Bowden reports that the lefty will undergo an MRI on his elbow and won’t make his scheduled Grapefruit League start on Saturday. Tim Britton of the Providence Journal adds that the Red Sox plan to have Price seek a second opinion from Dr. James Andres or Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
Per Britton, Manager John Farrell said of Price’s elbow, “We’re concerned.” Price has had elbow soreness in past springs, but not to this degree.
Price inked a seven-year, $217 million contract with the Red Sox in December 2015. In his first season with his new team last year, he went 17-9 with a 3.99 ERA and a 228/50 K/BB ratio in 230 innings.
The Red Sox acquired another ace in Chris Sale during the offseason, but losing Price for any amount of time would still be a big blow to the team’s chances of contending in 2017. Eduardo Rodriguez or Henry Owens would move back into the rotation if Price isn’t ready for the regular season. After that... Kyle Kendrick?
