NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 08: David Price #24 of the Boston Red Sox reacts in the third inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 8, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
MLBBy Alex Putterman on

Here’s a rundown of what David Price has been up to this year:

  • He missed all of Spring Training and the first eight weeks of the regular season with an elbow injury
  • When he returned, he posted a 5.14 ERA over his first five starts
  • He clashed angrily with multiple reporters, turning the local media against him
  • He clashed with beloved broadcaster and Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley, turning the local fanbase against him
  • And now he’s back on the disabled list with an elbow injury similar to the once he suffered through this spring

The news of Price’s latest injury dripped out Friday, first with a report from the Boston Globe’s Dan Shaughnessy that the pitcher’s elbow was “barking.” ESPN’s Scott Lauber reported that Price had been placed on the disabled list, while ESPN’s Buster Olney added that Price had an MRI on his left elbow Thursday. Price’s official diagnosis is left elbow inflammation, similar to what cost him the start of the season and required trips to several prominent orthopedic surgeons.

The injury is a pretty big blow for the Red Sox, as Price had been pitching quite well, with a 2.84 ERA and more than a strikeout per inning over his past six starts. With the trade deadline only three days away, Boston has little time to gauge the severity of Price’s injury before deciding whether they need to hunt for a pitcher on the trade market.

But it’s an even bigger blow for Price, who must want nothing more than to pitch well the rest of the season and put some of these controversies behind him. He has not started since the Boston Globe published the details of his run-in with Eckersley.

Overall, Price’s tenure in Boston has not been what either side imagined. The former Cy Young winner has a 3.95 ERA (3.69 FIP) since signing with the Red Sox in December 2014, and Red Sox fans seem awfully displeased with their team’s highly paid lefty. Of course, if Price can come back in September, pitch well down the stretch and help lead Boston deep into October, a lot of his supposed sins will be quickly forgotten.

About Alex Putterman

Alex is a writer and editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. He has written for The Atlantic, VICE Sports, MLB.com, SI.com and more. He is a proud alum of Northwestern University and The Daily Northwestern. You can find him on Twitter @AlexPutterman.

View all posts by Alex Putterman

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