August 22, 2008. TORONTO -- The Red Sox received an unpleasant surprise Friday afternoon when they learned outfielder J.D. Drew is suffering from a herniated disc in his back.
Drew has suffered from chronic back pain throughout his career and had a flareup last Sunday at Fenway Park against Toronto. He missed all three games of a series in Baltimore earlier this week, but it was thought he'd be able to return to action Friday night here in the opener of a weekend set against the Blue Jays.
The original lineup had Drew in right field, but he was scratched soon after the clubhouse opened. He was sent to a local hospital for an MRI, where it was learned he had a herniated disc.
"I hope I won't have to go on the disabled list," said Drew, who said he felt good Thursday and thought he'd be able to play Friday. On Friday morning he was a little stiff and took a hot bath in attempt to loosen the stiffness. After the bath his back locked up, and Drew said he felt "progressively worse" during the day. He was having difficulty walking in the locker room.
There's no word on how long he'll be sidelined.
The problem is similar to an injury he had earlier in his career with the Cardinals. While in St. Louis, Drew tore the sheath three-quarters of the way around his spine in the same area where he now has the herniated disc. The Red Sox are expecting a full medical report sometime Friday evening.
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