Feb 8, 2008 12:37 pm US/Eastern
Schilling Doctor: Rest And Rehab Won't Work
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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Curt Schilling tips his hat to the crowd as he comes out of the game in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies during Game Two of the 2007 World Series at Fenway Park on October 25.
Jim Rogash/Getty Images
Curt Schilling's doctor told WBZ-TV's Dan Roche Friday that Schilling won't be pitching in 2008 if he sticks with the Red Sox request to rely on rest and rehabilitation.
Schilling has an injury in his right shoulder, and he and the team have debated whether he should have surgery that could cost him the season or try something less drastic.
According to Roche, the Red Sox and their doctors believe that Schilling has a rotator cuff injury.
"They believe, much like they did with Pedro Martinez, that if you strengthen the shoulder properly over time that Schilling may (I repeat may) have a chance to pitch/contribute in 2008," Roche wrote in his
blog Friday.
Schilling and his surgeon, Dr. Craig Morgan, believe that the rotator cuff isn't a big problem and that Curt has a shredded bicep. They feel that if Schilling repairs the bicep, he could be back as soon as the All-Star break.
Morgan told Roche that a rest and rehab plan won't work.
"Absolutely not. He will not be able to even get through phase one of the rehab. He will not be able to do the exercises due to chronic pain."
A third party brought in to help in the dispute believes Schilling does have a rotator cuff injury and that if they operate, Schilling will be done.
"He told me he couldn't throw a ball 5 feet," Morgan told WEEI Friday morning. "I mean this guy's got pain opening a door."
Morgan said Schilling couldn't complete all the positions that were requested for his MRI in January because he couldn't put his arm above his head and hold it there without excruciating pain.
Schilling said Thursday night in his blog,
38pitches.com, that he has agreed to abide by the club's request.
Red Sox officials have declined to comment other than to issue a two-sentence statement Thursday night confirming that Schilling is injured.
"Curt Schilling was examined by Red Sox doctors in January after he reported feeling right shoulder discomfort," the team said. "Curt has started a program of rest, rehabilitation and shoulder strengthening in an attempt to return to pitching."
Schilling agreed in November to a one-year, $8 million contract that allows him to earn an addition $5 million in performance and weight bonuses. The 41-year-old right-hander has said that this will be his last year.
He said he passed all physical exams when he negotiated his new contract.
The Red Sox had discussed -- and dismissed -- the idea of using a six-man rotation this year. With Schilling out for an extended period of time, they are expected to rely on Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jon Lester, Tim Wakefield and Clay Buchholz.
(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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