by Red Sox starting pitcher Hunter Dobbins caught a tough break Friday night.
In his first outing since being activated from the injured list, he appeared to suffer a lower-body injury while covering first base on a ground ball in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays. Dobbins had landed on the IL on June 22 after suffering a right elbow strain.
Shortly after the incident, Boston announced that the pitcher was experiencing right knee pain (
via
The Boston Globe
‘s Tim Healey
).
With two outs left in the top of the second, Rays center fielder Chandler Simpson hit a ground ball to first baseman Abraham Toro. Dobbins ran over to cover first and catch Toro’s throw, and injured his right knee in the process.
Hunter Dobbins is coming out of the game after this play
#RedSox
#DirtyWater
pic.twitter.com/M9NTVGNJos
Upon making the out, Dobbins came up limp and hobbled down the first base line. He bent over and grabbed at his right knee before a trainer came out to check on him. Dobbins was visibly in pain before leaving the game and relief pitcher Jorge Alcala took over.
Dobbins, 25, recorded just five outs before sustaining the injury. He struck out two batters and allowed two hits and an earned run, exiting the game with Boston trailing 1-0.
A few days prior, Dobbins made his
only rehab start
with the Portland Sea Dogs on July 6. He threw five strong innings, striking out eight batters and allowing just two hits on one earned run.
Fortunately for the Red Sox’ bullpen, it was fresh entering Friday. Starter Brayan Bello tossed a complete game on Wednesday while three relievers threw one inning each on Thursday (Chris Murphy, Garrett Whitlock, and Aroldis Chapman).
Boston’s relief corps will have to record 22 outs the rest of the way in place of Dobbins.
Kaley Brown is a sports producer for Boston.com, where she covers the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox.
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