Boston Red Sox Kevin Youkilis on DL list – MLB News
Kevin Youkilis was sent to disabled-list on Thursday, August 18 after he was reported to have got a back injury. The injury for the Red Sox third baseman prompted the team to call Ryan Lavarnway, who is currently playing in Triple-A-Pawtucket. Lavarnway
is expected to join the team from Friday.
Although the Boston Red Sox won their first of four-game series being played against the Kansas City Royals, the news was particularly shocking given the importance Youkilis has for the team. The 4-3 victory against the Royals might have a bit overshadowed
by his departure.
But from what the team manager Terry Francona described, Kevin Youkilis had got a severe back injury. However, despite the seriousness of the issue, the team manager was filled with optimism, hoping the third baseman will soon return.
"His body was so beat up anyway, I think this was the last straw, kind of put him over the edge," Francona said. "But hopefully we can get him back to where he can be Youkilis. I think after the game yesterday, it was obvious we needed to get him checked
out."
For the team manager, what is of prime importance for now is the team’s victory despite the setback in the face of losing a player. That is where he stands corrected. Even if Youkilis remained absent, the team did manage to win the game against the Kansas
City Royals, making it a good start for the four-game series.
That is what Francona referred to as well. "You lose one, it's kind of a big deal, you lose two it doesn't help," Francona said. "But you know, our challenge is to not let it affect us winning games, so that's what we'll do."
Lavarnway, on the other hand, is buoyed. The news for him to join the Red Sox is no less than a dream coming into reality. Asked how felt about it, he said:, "It was bad on the plane. I had knots in my stomach," he said. "Now that I'm here, it's back to
business.”
The coming of Lavarnway, the Red Sox management believes, will be helpful in strengthening the team. It is worthwhile to remember that the MLB ranking is currently in upward and downward movement, a trend that is seen between the contenders of second and
third position.
Boston Red Sox are second in the ranking with 75 wins followed by that of New York Yankees which also have 75 wins to their credit. While the Philadelphia Phillies are way ahead with 80 wins, the Red Sox have to fight hard to clear itself past the New York
Yankees.
Only time will tell how the injury to Youkilis will affect the Red Sox at this crucial time in the season.
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