Boston Red Sox

Red Sox pitcher Steven Wright to miss next start after injuring himself pinch-running

The knuckleballer apparently jammed his throwing shoulder diving back into second base.

Red Sox pitcher Steven Wright is pictured as he heads for the dugout during a game last month. Jim Davis / The Boston Globe

Steven Wright can throw an impressive knuckleball. But on the finer points of base-running, he could use some practice.

Red Sox manager John Farrell told reporters Wednesday that Wright will miss his next scheduled start on Thursday, after the pitcher injured himself Sunday night pinch-running for David Ortiz. Farrell had put Wright in to pinch run in the sixth inning, after Ortiz got on base with a pinch-hit walk.

As The Boston Globe‘s Pete Abraham reported, Wright apparently jammed his throwing shoulder diving back into second base during a pick-off attempt by Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Joe Blanton.

Eduardo Rodriguez will start in place of Wright on Thursday, the final game of the Red Sox’s home series against the New York Yankees. According to the team, Wright has not been placed on the disabled list.

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Farrell said Wednesday that an MRI showed no structural damage to Wright’s shoulder.

The All-Star knuckleballer, who threw his first career shutout Saturday against the Dodgers, is 13-5 this year with an ERA of 3.01.

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