'Bony Ossification' Could Help Price Avoid Tommy John

Sure, it sounds like a starring character from a Jurassic Park movie. But, 'bony ossification' is a "self-healing" action that calcifies new bone on elbow ligaments–avoiding the need for Tommy John surgery. Or, so say some doctors—and Red Sox pitcher David Price. In a story written by the infamous Ken Rosenthal (now of TheAthletic.com), Price almost sounds like a faith healer on late night cable, "It heals itself. It lays down bone on my ligament. It calcifies and turns into bone." Uh-huh. Yessir, you just send in your $55 for this here special prayer shawl and it will take away all of your medical maladies! Well, maybe we shouldn't be so cynical. If Price actually pitches for this team in 2017—regular or post-season—we might just give ol' Jimmy Sawggart a listen or two.

Holt In LF, Benny In CF In Tonight's Red Sox Lineup

Here is tonight's Red Sox lineup: 1. Eduardo Nunez 2B; 2. Mookie Betts RF; 3. Andrew Benintendi CF; 4. Hanley Ramirez DH; 5. Rafael Devers 3B; 6. Xander Bogaerts SS; 7. Mitch Moreland 1B; 8. Christian Vazquez C; 9. Brock Holt LF. On the hill tonight for The Carmine Hose will be LHP Drew Pomeranz.

Lots Of New Wrinkles On MLB 'Players Weekend'

Some people argue that Major League Baseball has scrubbed out all individual player distinctiveness over the last few years. But now, a collaboration between the MLB Players Association and Major League Baseball might add a little color to at least one weekend in August.

The players’ union and the league recently announced 'Players Weekend'—to be held during the games of August 25-27. Baseball fans got a glimpse of what to expect on last night's Sunday Night Baseball telecast on ESPN (at the site of the Little World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania) between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the St. Louis Cardinals. Players will be permitted to attach a nickname on the back of their jerseys (Majestic Athletic), in addition to donning distinctively-designed and colored spikes, bats, catcher’s masks, compression sleeves and wristbands.

Source: MLB Communications via Twitter

Another cool factor is that players will get to inscribe the names of persons or associations influential to their growth on a uniform patch. This patch will appear on the right-hand sleeve for Players Weekend—and could also incorporate a display of players progressing from youth competitions to Major League Baseball. In a remarkable split from conventional MLB fare, the innovative logo will also be visible on helmets and jackets—in place of MLB’s standard batter logo. The new uniforms will feature specially-designed socks from Stance and unique caps from New Era. Throughout the pre-game workout sessions and post game press conferences, the players will wear t-shirts emphasizing a cause or charity of their preference.

Fans will also have access to virtual betting stations open to the public. In fact, click here to place your MLB at williamhill.com or visit their favorite portal via the internet.

Numerous players will be ambassadors for Players Weekend to endorse the events on social media—using the hash tag: #PlayersWeekend. These include players such as Chris Young of the Red Sox, Christian Yelich of the Miami Marlins, CC Sabathia of the Yankees, Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs, Manny Machado of the Orioles, Francisco Lindor of the Cleveland Indians, Ender Inciarte of the Atlanta Braves, Nelson Cruz of the Seattle Mariners, Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays, Javier Baez of the Cubs and Yonder Alonso of the Mariners. The weekend will also include a charitable component. Used jerseys from the games will be offered on online auctions with the proceeds donated to charities like the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation. MLBPA and MLB already made a $30 million commitment for "improving the caliber, effectiveness and availability of amateur baseball and softball programs across the United States and Canada."

Our Choice For Re-Named Yawkey Way: Williams Way

The change will happen. Bank on it. So, if we are to re-name the street our franchise sits on, it should be for the most influential player in its history. Of course, there are many deserving candidates for that title: Cy Young, Babe Ruth, Bobby Doerr, Pedro Martinez, Carl Yastrzemski, Carlton Fisk, Jim Rice, Roger Clemens, Jimmy Foxx, Nomar Garciaparra, Manny Ramirez, Fred Lynn, Mo Vaughn, David Ortiz—just to name a few. But towering above all those greats is the incomparable Ted Williams. When 'The Kid' was a rookie for the Red Sox in 1939, he "only" hit .327 with 31 HRs and 145 RBIs. And, while Williams effectively missed five years to military service (WWII and Korea), he still managed to clout 521 HRs in 19 seasons. Those of us who were blessed to see him play in person will never forget the sight. While his .406 season in 1941 will live forever (and likely never be broken), he left a far greater legacy of playing the game right and developing a true science of hitting. He was the greatest hitter who ever lived. The street in front of Fenway deserves his name.

JBJ To The Ten-Day Disabled List With Sprained Thumb

The Red Sox announced this afternoon that they are placing center-fielder Jackie Bradley, Jr. on the 10-day disabled list with a sprained thumb. JBJ had X-rays taken last night in Cleveland that turned out negative. However, his MRI this morning in Boston revealed the sprain. Deven Marrero was called up to take Bradley's place on the roster. Bradley had been hot at the plate of late—providing Boston with a huge weapon in the ninth spot of the order. Andrew Benintendi will likely shift over to CF with Chris Young taking over most nights in LF. There may also be other moves—like the call up of either Bryce Brentz or Rusney Castillo. And, if Dustin Pedroia returns soon, Eduardo Nunez could also see time in the outfield. Stay tuned!

The Panoply Of Possible New Names For Yawkey Way

Certain things in life are, in fact, certain. Even though majorities in almost every fan poll (including ours) oppose re-naming Yawkey Way, John Henry (and his lackeys at Boston City Hall) will make it happen. You know it's true. So, the rest of us should start thinking about viable alternatives. Various press accounts have suggested the following: David Ortiz Way, Pumpsie Green Way, Ted Williams Way, Yaz Way, Jimmy Fund Street, 2004 Way, Tommy Harper Way, Pedro Way, Pete Frates Way, Theo Way, and our personal favorite: The Boulevard of Broken Curses. Frankly, most of these are lousy choices—with the possible exceptions of naming the street for Pumpsie Green or Ted Williams—both extremely important figures in the history of the franchise. One other interesting possibility was suggested by a blogger for the Cleveland Indians. Vince Guerrieri of DidThetribeWinLastNight.com, picks Charles Somers—the original owner of both the Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians. Somers was a trailblazer in setting up the new American League in 1901. He left the Indians to run the Red Sox and the team was actually nicknamed 'The Somersets' for a while in his honor. Soon after, he went back to his native Ohio to run the Indians again, but he was a prime mover in firming up the viability of the Boston franchise. Interesting idea: Somers Way.

'Cy' Fister Shuts Down Tribe On One Hit, Sox Romp 9-1

(AP Photo)

Be honest, when Red Sox starter Doug Fister gave up a long ball on his third pitch to the first Cleveland hitter, the phrase "Here we go again" rattled through your brain. It certainly did through ours. In what bizarro universe would Fister then deny any more hits in a complete game victory? Welcome to that bizarro universe of the 2017 Carmine Hose! Fister was absolutely brilliant from that point onward—just two walks and a hit-batter ensued. He was crisp, quick and he threw strikes. On the offensive side, Eduardo Nunez broke out of his mini-slump by driving in five runs in the eventual 9-1 win. Also contributing were: Hanley Ramirez (2-4, RBI) and Jackie Bradley, Jr. (2-3, RBI, HR). Bradley also injured a thumb on a slide at the plate and is returning to Boston for an MRI. All in all, a huge victory (and a rested bullpen) that keeps Boston 4.5 games up on The Evil Ones.