FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said closer Andrew Bailey will travel to Boston on Monday to have his right thumb examined.
Valentine made the announcement after Sunday’s 5-1 win over Minnesota Twins.
Bailey, who was acquired in a December trade with the Athletics, has not pitched in a major league game since March 25, against the Blue Jays in Dunedin. He pitched 1 2/3 innings in a minor league game on Wednesday.
Bailey was delayed at the start of spring training because of a strained lat suffered during the vertical leap portion of his entrance physical.
In addition to the minor league outing, he has pitched six innings in six Grapefruit League games this spring, with an 0-1 record and a 4.50 ERA.
The extent of Bailey’s problem is not known. Valentine said it began bothering Bailey during the March 21 game in Bradenton against the Pirates, but Valentine was not made aware of it until Friday.
