Second Opinion Confirms No Structural Damage On Steven Wright's Shoulder, But Return Remains Unclear
BOSTON (CBS) -- Red Sox knuckleballer Steven Wright received a second opinion on his right shoulder on Tuesday, confirming there is no structural damage.
Dr. Neal ElAttrache confirmed what the Red Sox found in Wright's initial MRI, pointing to bursitis as the main cause of the pitcher's pain. That confirmed diagnosis has Wright feeling better about the situation.
"It's definitely more peace of mind more than anything because having two doctors explain to you the same exact thing from looking at the same MRI, it's definitely encouraging," Wright told reporters in San Diego. "So now it's just a matter of tolerating the pain and taking it day by day and not getting too far ahead of ourselves. I'm just looking forward to that."
Wright and the Red Sox, unfortunately, don't have an answer for those wondering when he will return to the rotation -- if at all.
"If it happens, great," said Wright. "I'm not going to say yes and know that I'm going to pitch because I don't know. Hopefully, but you never know."
Wright suffered the injury as a pinch runner back on August 7 when he dove back to second base against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was activated from the disabled list on August 26 but continued to deal with tightness in the shoulder. Wright was ineffective in his two starts after coming off the DL, going 0-1 with an 8.10 ERA.
Overall this season, Wright has gone 13-6 with a 3.33 ERA in 24 starts. Clay Buchholz took over his spot in the rotation, and has allowed just one run in each of his last three starts.
