Like Dustin Pedroia, Steven Wright underwent microfracture surgery in 2017. And like Pedroia, it's taking some time for Wright to fully recover.
Wright underwent an arthroscopic procedure Monday to clean up some loose bodies in the knee -- just as Pedroia did last August.
Live Q & A – Chat Red Sox and MLB with Sean McAdam, Tuesday at 5 p.m.
The hope is that Wright will be fully recovered by the time spring training begins. When I spoke to Wright the morning of the World Series parade late last month, he was fully confident he would be ready to resume a normal off-season after a period of a few weeks.
But with surgeries this complicated, there are no guarantees. And Wright's recent medical history is a complicated one. He missed a chunk of time with a shoulder separation prior to his knee problem, which first surfaced in the spring of 2017.
When healthy, Wright has been effective. In 20 appearances -- in between DL stints -- he had a 2.68 ERA in 2018.
But it's hard to count on Wright holding up for an entire year. In parts of six seasons with the Red Sox, he's topped 73 innings just once -- in 2016.
With Drew Pomeranz eligible for free agency, the Sox could use some depth in their starting rotation, to back up Chris Sale, Rick Porcello, David Price and Eduardo Rodriguez. But it's difficult to know whether Wright can be counted on for that role.
AL EAST
Two Yankees lost out in the American League Rookie of the Year balloting -- and that's how it should have been, writes Kevin Kernan.
The Rays' Joey Wendle came in fourth in the AL ROY voting.
There are some free-agent pitchers who could help the Orioles.
AL CENTRAL
It wasn't a fun year for the Tigers, but at least their farm system is improving.
The White Sox are trying to decide what to do with Yoan Moncada.
Joe Mauer had an emotional farewell as he officially announced his retirement.
AL WEST
Shohei Ohtani became the fourth Japanese-born player to win a ROY award.
Could a reunion with pitcher Sonny Gray work for the Oakland A's?
Like most of the players given qualifying offers, Dallas Keuchel rejected his.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Jacob deGrom is trying to determine where he stands with the Mets.
___________________