It didn't take long for the Red Sox to get struck by the injury bug in the postseason. This time, it hit even before the first pitch had thrown.
Knuckleballer Steven Wright, who was expected to play a critical role in the bullpen with the ability to pitch multiple innings and offer a different look from the rest of the Sox' hard-throwing staff, felt some knee soreness and was ruled out of Game 1.
A baseball source confirmed after the Red Sox' 5-4 win over the Yankees that Wright was being taken off the roster and will be replaced Saturday. The move makes Wright ineligible for the ALCS, too, should the Sox advance from the Division Series.
"He had an MRI during the night,'' said Alex Cora. "We'll know more about it tomorrow.''
Wright underwent major reconstructive knee surgery in May of 2016, and missed all of that season and the first two months of this one. He also was forced onto the DL in mid-season when the knee flared up on him, only to return for the final five weeks of the season.
The Red Sox have a number of options to replace Wright. If they're seeking length, they could go with either lefty Brian Johnson or righty Hector Velazquez, each of whom moved back and forth between the rotation and bullpen during the year. Or, they could go with Heath Hembree, who narrowly missed being included on the original 11-man staff.
_____________________
