That popping sound Curt Schilling heard in his right ankle Tuesday might be the bursting of the Red Sox’ World Series hopes.
Red Sox team doctor William Morgan announced yesterday that Schilling not only has right ankle tendinitis but a torn sheath that houses one of the tendons in his ankle that will require surgery.
Bottom line: if a team of medical experts can’t devise a better brace for the injury, Schilling won’t make his Game 5 start.
“If this was your problem, we’d put you in a cast,” Morgan told a reporter during a news conference before Game 2.
Schilling tore the sheath during his ALDS Game 1 start. He was dismal in ALCS Game 1, getting shelled for six earned runs over three innings.
Even though the ankle was braced and numbed, Schilling couldn’t drive off the rubber and had problems with his velocity and command.
After the game, a discouraged Schilling said his ankle was “popping,” which Morgan described as the tendon popping out of the groove it is supposed to be in because of the torn sheath.
Previously, the medical staff tried to keep the tendon in its proper groove. This time, they will keep the tendon outside the groove but try to immobilize it there. He calls the brace a “molded plastic system” that is “totally custom.”
“We’re going to take another shot at it and continue to use every medical technique under the sun to get this tendon stabilized so he can go out there again,” Morgan said. “And if we can’t… we’ll have the surgery.”
It seems Schilling would have to throw his side session today in order to make his start. Manager Terry Francona was the most optimistic of the Boston officials.
“We’re gonna give Schill every opportunity to pitch,” Francona said. “If he can’t, then we’ll adjust…
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a guy with more heart or the ability to compete than Schill. I think that’s part of the reason we still feel fairly upbeat he’s gonna pitch again.”
Schilling did a “dry run” on Sunday at Fenway Park with the bracing and numbing of the joint, and all parties said it went well. But it went awry under game conditions. It could again.
“We have no guarantees, because you cannot duplicate a game situation in the bullpen,” Morgan said. “But that’s our best shot.”
However bleak it looks, Yankee manager Joe Torre plans to see Schilling at Fenway Park on Sunday.
“It’s this time of year,” Torre said. “You find a way to go out there. I know Curt. Curt’s a competitor. If he doesn’t show up next time, I’m sorry he’s hurting but not sorry we’re not facing him.”
