FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The news regarding Eduardo Rodriguez's mishap on the field Saturday morning grew at least slightly more ominous Sunday, with the announcement that the pitcher suffered patella subluxation of the right knee.
That was revealed after the pitcher underwent an MRI Sunday morning.
Rodriguez caused a scare Saturday when, during routine outfield drills, he caught a spike and went down in a heap, having tweaked his right knee.
"As far as any kind of structural damage,'' said manager John Farrell, "there isn't any. The cartilage is fine, the ligaments are fine. There's some swelling. He's going through some treatment and will continue to do so. When he's deemed ready to initiate a throwing program, we'll do so at that time.''
Farrell said Rodriguez will be shut down for a period of about 72 hours.
Rodriguez was seen in the Red Sox clubhouse complex Sunday afternoon, walking with a slight limp. As he later left the clubhouse, the knee was wrapped.
"As far as anything beyond the 72 hours,'' said Farrell, "we've got to get that point, first.''
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In layman's terms, a subluxation refers to a joint popping out of place.
"(The kneecap) comes out of the groove somewhat, but then slides back in,'' Farrell said. "But there's discomfort initially and the resulting fluid builds up. But we're working to get that out of there.''
Farrell said Rodriguez wasn't required to wear a knee brace.
"Day by day,'' said Rodriguez as he left the complex. "That's all I've got to do now. Try day-by-day to get better...They tell me I'm fine...Like they say, it's not serious. It's more like pressure and stuff like that.''
Rodriguez acknowledged that he was experiencing some swelling in the knee and that he was receiving treatment, including ice.
The manager said it was too soon to know whether the setback will have an impact on Rodriguez's usual spring throwing program, or whether the injury could delay Rodriguez's readiness for the start of the regular season. Typically, pitchers need a certain number of appearances (five or six, often) or innings thrown to build sufficient arm strength.
"I don't know that I can answer that right now,'' said Farrell.