In Media Circus, Timlin Finds Way to Miss Opener

Leave it to Mike Timlin to miss the opener ... days beforehand.


Timlin's been a solid contributor to the Sox bullpen all spring training, continuing his yeoman's work from the stretch drive and playoff push last fall. Now, after opening a cut on one of the fingers on his throwing hand fielding a comebacker in the exhibition win over the Blue Jays that required stitches, the Texan who doubles as morale captain of the bullpen - and possibly the team - may well miss the year's first official game with the injury.

It's a blow to the bullpen because it puts extra stress on guys like Manny Delcarmen and Hideki Okajima, both of whom have looked terrific throughout the spring, but both of whom also could use to have their appearances and innings stretched across a number of games on a brutal season-opening road trip.

Now, giving Hideki Okajima more looks in Japan is never a bad thing, at least in terms of public opinion. But it's also the kind of move that could come back to haunt the pen as the season goes along.

Of course, all of these hypotheticals are thinking four or five steps down the road, which is preposterous. Still, the scenario is out there. And it's not going to get any smaller until the Timlin returns.

The rest of Boston's first day in the land of the Rising Sun has been typical diplomacy for celebrities in Japan which, naturally, is anything but typical, though we're sure you could tell that from the pic above. It's comforting to know that Big Papi isn't the first man to wear pulled back hair and a Kimono - think sumo wrestlers - isn't it?

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