Boston Red Sox left-hander David Price will dodge elbow surgery for the time being after two prominent doctors determined seven to 10 days of rest and treatment is the initial way to treat the injury, according to multiple reports on Friday.
Price awoke with pain and swelling in the elbow on Wednesday after pitching in a simulated game the previous day. He flew to Indianapolis and was examined by surgeons James Andrews and Neal ElAttrache on Thursday at the NFL Combine.
An MRI exam proved inconclusive and manager John Farrell told reporters that the decision is a best-case scenario for Price.
“We got positive news after the exam by Dr. Andrews and Dr. ElAttrache,” Farrell said. “No surgery. No PRP or any injection of any kind. The approach we’re going to take with him is he’ll receive treatment and medication for the next seven days, 7-to-10 days possible. We’ll re-evaluate him at that time.”
There is not yet a timetable for Price to resume throwing.
Price went 17-9 with a 3.99 ERA last season in his first year with the Red Sox after signing a seven-year, $217 million deal. He struck out 228 batters in an American League-leading 230 innings and served up a career-worst 30 homers.