David Price, placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a cyst on his left wrist, told reporters that if the cortisone shot he had doesn't break it up, he may need offseason surgery to remove it.
The Red Sox have lost Price's past five starts and he's 0-3, with an 8.59 ERA in those outings. The left-hander is 7-5 with a 4.36 ERA overall and had been the Sox' most consistent starter leading until this recent slide, which coincides with his renewed feud with Hall of Famer and team broadcaster Dennis Eckersley.
Left-hander Brian Johnson started in Price's spot Friday night and allowed a first-inning, three-run homer to Albert Pujols in 2 2/3 innings in a 16-4 Red Sox victory.
Manager Alex Cora said if the shot works, he expects Price to be able to return quickly once he resumes throwing.
Another injured postseason 2018 hero, first baseman/DH Steve Pearce, was at Fenway on Saturday but will return to rehabbing his knee injury in Fort Myers, Florida, on Sunday. Pearce, 36, out since June 1 with what was originally a back injury after he hit just .180 in 29 games, told reporters his setback was a partially torn posterior cruciate ligament but he hopes to avoid surgery and continue rehab and treatment.
He can't run but took batting practice. Still, there are only 44 games left and time could be running out on the 2018 World Series MVP. Sam Travis, Michael Chavis and Christian Vazquez - on Saturday against the Angels - have been filling in as the right-handed platoon with Mitch Moreland at first.
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