Red Sox starting pitcher John Lackey is likely to miss his next scheduled start with pain in his pitching arm, according to manager John Farrell.
Lackey, who missed all of 2012 following Tommy John surgery, left his first start of the 2013 season after four and one third innings, and an MRI showed inflammation in his biceps, but no muscle tears. The Red Sox are not planning to place Lackey on the disabled list, and are more likely to just push him back several days.
Before leaving the start against the Blue Jays Lackey had surrendered five hits and two runs, while walking one and striking out eight. Farrell attributed the pain in Lackey's arm to this start being the first time he's had to ratchet up his effort to regular season levels.
"A couple of days ago was the first time he's pitched with that kind of intensity in probably two years, and it's not uncommon that you're going to feel some soreness," Farrell said. "Certainly this was different than just soreness because he came out of the game, but he was getting after it good the other day and not just in terms of velocity, but the action of his secondary stuff. He looked great on the mound. We'll be cautious with this."
Farrell told reporters that Alfredo Aceves would be the likely candidate to replace Lackey if he is still out by Sunday. Aceves has appeared in two games in 2013, and the results have been ugly.
This season he has pitched four and one third innings, and has been rocked to the tune of a 10.38 ERA and a 1.615 WHIP. Aceves pitched in 69 games last season for the Red Sox, and spent time as Boston's closer. He recorded 25 saves but sported a 5.36 ERA and was a disappointment coming off a stellar 2011 season with the New York Yankees.
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