The current shut down, as reported, is not either a major new injury or a failed recovery of the same major injury – it looks like an injury cascade where the Achilles pain led Ortiz to change his stride, which then in turn led to heel problem.

If it's from Achilles pain, then he might still have a failed recovery of the same major injury. If it's a change in stride in order to avoid aggravating that injury, even though he's fine, that's different. And if it's a change in stride because he's lost some flexibility in his Achilles due to non-use, that's also different. I'd think the first is worst, the second is not much better, and the third is a normal part of coming back from injury and thus a lot better.

Which one describes his situation, I don't know. I haven't paid close enough attention.

There's a fourth possibility, which is to use the slot as an opportunity to keep Lavarnway in the bigs and give him some experience. David Ross may be a wonderful chap, but like whichever of the Gomezes cost 2/10, he's a block against a player with more long-term future.

Personally I'd go with Bradley, DFL Ortiz, hire Manny on a minor league contract, keep Lavarnway in the bigs as a backup DH/C/1B and use Ross, the Gomezes and Nava as filler/trade bait. There's such a thing as aiming for quality, and the Sox have too often settled for mediocrity.

There are so many pope jokes nowadays, I just read this as "Our Big Papal Problem". What would such an article be about, I could not imagine.

Which Red Sox player is mostly likely to be named pope? Probably Jon Lester, using the whole miracle angle.

Which Red Sox player is mostly likely to be named pope? Probably Jon Lester, using the whole miracle angle.

Saltalamacchia. When in doubt pick the Italian.

EDIT: If we're talking former players, I'm guessing Bill Lee is most likely to produce a puff of white smoke.

1) Same plan, more AAAA sluggers. Left field was already ticketed to a R/L semi-platoon arrangement between Gomes and Carp. Now you add Mauro Gomez into the mix, work out some sort of job sharing (maybe Gomez and Carp platoon in the lineup while Gomes moves between LF ad DH). You could also do this with Daniel Nava, if you wanted, though the job sharing would have to look a little different.

You could do this with 1B instead - giving Napoli a bunch of DH starts and having Gomez/Carp/Overbay play the field.

This doesn't sound like the Bradley plan will be in play to start the season.

Pope John Lackey is the choice, according to Revelations 6:8. "And behold, a pale horse!"

I love Bradley but if it looks like it will be a month or less, let him do his thing in AAA and give yourself some time to sort through Carp, Nava, Gomez, and Gomes. Some combination of those 4 can handle DH/LF and only cost you a few runs. I have to say, though, my hopes of putting the chronic injuries behind us are fading fast.

Webster had another impressive outing. He's 24--at what point does he force his way onto the team?

The article in post 6 doesn't seem like it rules out Bradley at all to me. In particular,this quote by Farrell: ""We've got competition that's going on in camp. My first view would be that who our DH is is going to open up a position elsewhere possibly and we've got three or four different options and combinations that we could fill that out with." Seems to indicate that the guys DHing could open up left field. I think Bradley is in play here. That could just be wishful thinking on my part but I don't think the Sox have ruled out the possibility.

Webster had another impressive outing. He's 24--at what point does he force his way onto the team?

Just wrote something up in "my" thread but I can't overstate how impressed I was with him. He looks ready to me. He's got this cool little delivery where everything is in front of the mound, he's not balanced so much as attacking the hitter. It's kind of fun. When I watched him set up I kept thinking of a vulture with the way his head craned toward the plate.

hire Manny on a minor league contract,

Mate, you are predictable as a sun rise. Always entertaining, but predictable.

Webster had another impressive outing. He's 24--at what point does he force his way onto the team?

Didn't Webster just turn 23 a month ago? He's still plenty young.

I'd say he has to get his walk rate down and generally pitch well this year. I'd guess he's probably 2-3 starter injuries away from making the team, with Morales/De la Rosa/Aceves/Wilson possibly ahead of him.

One thing about Webster is that Mike Newman questioned his stamina based on the observing his stuff collapse in the 4th inning a couple of times. These 2-3 IP spring stints don't do anything to address that potential concern.

Which Red Sox player is mostly likely to be named pope?

Clayton Mortensen. The pope should be a former Cardinal.

Ozzie Smith was a Padre and a Cardinal. And he appears to have taken a vow of poverty.

Which Red Sox player is mostly likely to be named pope?

Rocco Baldelli. The world needs a Pope Rocco. Unless Bubba Bell ever made it to the big club.