Red Sox Diaries

After another loss in Tampa, the last thing anyone really wants to hear is bad news. But according to an MLB.com report, John Smoltz has hit a snag in his rehabilitation process and is being slowed down. The organization is trying to put a more optimistic spin on it than that, saying that dead-arm phases like this are to be expected, but let's face it: if Smoltz is already having trouble with his stamina, the Sox absolutely can't expect him to start every fifth day for the last four months of the regular season.

Smoltz is another player that general manager Theo Epstein signed to a one-year contract this past offseason. Epstein's track record with this type of pick-up is not so great, particularly with pitchers. It's a shame, because the Sox really need him to help steady the rotation. He could always go to the bullpen, but there's a logjam there at the present moment and there's not too much of an effect that he would have. The concern about him in the rotation is that he wouldn't be able to go deep into games, putting even more strain on the bullpen.

It's too early to be overly concerned--thankfully the season is a marathon and not a sprint, so if he can only give them two or three solid months he'll still be a worthwhile investment. But let's just say this latest development isn't exactly a good sign.

--Danny Daly (ddaly06)