Schilling Could be Lost For Season

Roughly a week before pitchers and catchers are due to report to spring training in Fort Myers, the Herald has learned today that Red Sox [team stats] right-hander Curt Schilling [stats] has a significant shoulder injury that could end the veteran’s season and is causing tension and friction between the player and the team.

While neither Schilling nor Sox officials could be reached for comment, baseball sources have indicated that the club has at least inquired about the possibility of voiding the one-year, $8 million contract Schilling signed last November. It is not known to what lengths the Sox have gone on the matter, but their threat has been serious enough to create a conflict between Schilling and the Red Sox.

While the precise nature of Schilling’s injury is not known, it is believed that the right-hander is suffering from an injury to the rotator cuff and/or labrum that might require surgery. It is possible that the sides disagree on how to treat Schilling’s ailment and that a course of treatment, too, is a part of their disagreement.

If Schilling has surgery on his shoulder, it is almost certain that he would be unable to pitch this season.

Presumably, Schilling underwent a physical exam when the Red Sox signed him to his guaranteed contract in November. It is unclear whether Schilling’s current problem was overlooked at the time or if he suffered the injury at a later date.

Schilling did not pitch between June 18 and Aug. 6 of last season when he was on the disabled list with a right shoulder ailment. At the time, the problems were believed to be related to tendinitis and general fatigue.

Privately, club officials believed that some of Schilling’s difficulties early last season resulted from him showing up in poor condition at spring training. Schilling’s new contract includes incentive clauses for the pitcher meeting specified weight requirements at various checkpoints through the season.

Schilling and the club used part of his time on the DL to rehabilitate and strengthen the shoulder. He returned to the club and went 3-4 with an impressive 3.34 ERA over his final nine starts and 56 2/3 innings of the regular season. Schilling subsequently went 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA in four postseason starts, improving his career playoff record to 11-2 with a 2.23 ERA.