Schilling questionable
Boston ace Curt Schilling might not pitch Game 5 of the American League Championship Series Sunday because of his injured right ankle, which will require surgery after the playoffs.
Schilling, who led the major leagues with 21 wins, lasted three innings and 58 pitches in Boston’s 10-7 loss to the New York Yankees in Tuesday night’s opener, allowing six runs, his poorest postseason performance since 1993. He had trouble with his balance and pushing off the rubber, which cut his velocity.
If Schilling can’t pitch, he probably would be replaced by Derek Lowe, a starter all season who struggled down the stretch and has thrown 12 pitches in relief in the playoffs.
Red Sox team physician Dr. Bill Morgan said before Wednesday’s game that the sheath that covers two tendons in Schilling’s ankle is torn, allowing one of the tendons to slip out of its groove and rub against a bone. Schilling didn’t feel discomfort while pitching Tuesday because he was injected with a painkiller.
“We won’t compromise the team by sending out Curt Schilling who won’t be effective,” general manager Theo Epstein said.
The Red Sox are trying to create a customized brace to hold the slipping tendon in place outside the sheath. Morgan was “relatively optimistic” that the ankle could be stabilized.
“We’re going to take another shot at it and continue to use every medical technique under the sun to try to get this tendon stabilized so he can go out there again,” Morgan said. “We have no guarantees.”
Schilling is to throw in the bullpen before Friday’s third game. If he doesn’t have more success, he probably wouldn’t pitch again this year, even if the Red Sox reach the World Series, Morgan said.
“Knowing Curt, he might want to try,” Morgan said. “If we can’t accomplish getting him his next start, then he has to make a decision if he wants surgery right away.”
He suspected that Schilling would delay surgery so he could stay with the team even if he can’t pitch. Schilling will need about three months to recover from an operation and should be ready for spring training.
“If this was midseason and we had a few months to play with, he would have been placed in a cast and potentially undergone surgery,” Morgan said.
Bocachica declines assignment
The Seattle Mariners outrighted the contracts of outfielders Hiram Bocachica and B.J. Garbe (Moses Lake High grad), infielder Mickey Lopez and right-hander Jeff Heaverlo to Triple-A Tacoma.
Bocachica declined to accept the assignment, instead declaring free agency. He hit .244 with six runs batted in during 50 games last season with the Mariners. He played 40 games at Tacoma, hitting .287 with 39 RBIs.
Manuel interviews with Phillies
After spending two seasons as the team’s special assistant and adviser, Charlie Manuel made this recommendation to the Philadelphia Phillies: Hire me as the new manager.
Manuel, 60, was the second candidate in two days to interview for the vacant managerial position, less than two weeks after Larry Bowa was fired. Manuel has served as an instructor and a scout for the Phillies at the major and minor league levels.
His knowledge of the organization could be a boost for Manuel, who will join the team for organizational meetings this weekend.
Manuel had a 220-190 record with the Cleveland Indians (2000-2002).
The Phillies interviewed former Chicago Cubs manager Don Baylor on Tuesday. They’ll interview former Boston manager Grady Little today, former Colorado and Detroit manager Buddy Bell on Oct. 25 and former Phillies manager Jim Fregosi on Oct. 26.
Mets shake up coaching staff
Mets general manager Omar Minaya shook up New York’s coaching staff while continuing to search for a manager to replace Art Howe.
Minaya announced that only pitching coach Rick Peterson will return in his current position next season.
Hitting coach Don Baylor, third base-infield coach Matt Galante and first base-outfield coach Gary Pettis were fired, while head trainer Scott Lawrenson, bench coach Bobby Floyd and bullpen coach Nelson Silverio will be reassigned within the organization.