Boston Red Sox Closer Andrew Bailey To Undergo Thumb Surgery

Boston Red Sox closer Andrew Bailey will undergo surgery on Wednesday to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament in his right hand. The UCL is located at the base of the thumb.

The Red Sox organization has not placed a timetable on the pitchers return but manager Bobby Valentine told his training staff that the closer would not likely return before the All-Star break.

According to Valentine:

“We won’t use him until he is fully recuperated. Guys we have set up in the bullpen will hold down the fort.”

The surgery will be performed by Dr. Thomas Graham in Cleveland.

Bailey said his finger started to hurt during a game against Pittsburgh on March 21 but how the injury was caused is still not known.

At this time Valentine has not named a new closer for the Red Sox although he did say Mark Melancon will be given the chance to close out games for the team. Responding to his own good news Melancon said:

“It is unfortunate Bailey is out. I just heard the news. We have a good bullpen. We will be all right. We are going to figure it out. I am ready (to pitch the ninth if need be).”

After pitching in nine games this spring Melancor racked up a 0-1 record with a 5.59 ERA. Last season Melancon had 20 saves with the Houston Astros.

Regardless of the choice in closing picture Valenine revealed that the roster is pretty much set:

“We had extensive meetings this morning with coaches and we’re all pretty well set.”

Do you think Melancon can do a decent job filling in for Andrew Bailey?