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Boston Red Sox pitcher John Lackey will have Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, new general manager Ben Cherington announced at his introductory news conference Tuesday, essentially ending the starter's 2012 season before it begins.
"He knows he's a much better pitcher than he showed in 2011," Cherington said. "We look forward to having him as part of the staff, hopefully in 2013."
Lackey had the worst season of his career, going 12-12 with a 6.41 ERA in the second year of a five-year, $82.5 million deal. Red Sox starters went 4-13 with a 7.08 ERA down the stretch as the Red Sox blew a nine-game lead in the wild-card race.
Lackey then became the center of controversy when the Boston Globe reported that he, Jon Lester and Josh Beckett drank beer, ate fried chicken and played video games in the Red Sox clubhouse on their off-days.
Cherington defended the pitcher, though.
"John Lackey pitched through circumstances this year that not everyone in this room could understand," Cherington said, adding that Lackey was dealing with on-field and off-field issues last season.
Cherington went through most of his news conference before dropping the Lackey bombshell. He had just said that the Red Sox were strong at the top of their rotation.
"We need to build some pitching depth," Cherington said. "Most likely we'll do that through some good, creative, perhaps buy-low acquisitions. We're going to do our diligence on every available player, but I think I need to hit on some pitchers this offseason, much as we hit on Alfredo Aceves last offseason."
Source: AP
"He knows he's a much better pitcher than he showed in 2011," Cherington said. "We look forward to having him as part of the staff, hopefully in 2013."
Lackey had the worst season of his career, going 12-12 with a 6.41 ERA in the second year of a five-year, $82.5 million deal. Red Sox starters went 4-13 with a 7.08 ERA down the stretch as the Red Sox blew a nine-game lead in the wild-card race.
Lackey then became the center of controversy when the Boston Globe reported that he, Jon Lester and Josh Beckett drank beer, ate fried chicken and played video games in the Red Sox clubhouse on their off-days.
Cherington defended the pitcher, though.
"John Lackey pitched through circumstances this year that not everyone in this room could understand," Cherington said, adding that Lackey was dealing with on-field and off-field issues last season.
Cherington went through most of his news conference before dropping the Lackey bombshell. He had just said that the Red Sox were strong at the top of their rotation.
"We need to build some pitching depth," Cherington said. "Most likely we'll do that through some good, creative, perhaps buy-low acquisitions. We're going to do our diligence on every available player, but I think I need to hit on some pitchers this offseason, much as we hit on Alfredo Aceves last offseason."
Source: AP