Curt Schilling has an injured right shoulder, and the ballplayer and the Boston Red Sox have been squabbling over whether he should have surgery that could cost him the season or try something less drastic.
The Boston Herald reported on its Web site on Thursday that Schilling may have injured his rotator cuff or labrum, a problem serious enough to consider surgery that could keep him out for the whole 2008 season. The 41-year-old right-hander said in November after agreeing to an $8 million, one-year contract that this will be his last year. But The Boston Globe reported later Thursday that Schilling had opted not to have an operation for a partial tear of the rotator cuff. Even without the surgery, the paper said, Schilling would be out until at least the All-Star break. The Globe also reported that the Red Sox went so far as to try to void the pitcher’s $8 million contract for 2008.
The dispute over Schilling’s treatment went far enough to lead Schilling to consult with the players’ union over his rights. According to a side letter to the collective bargaining agreement, the player has the right to seek a second opinion from his own doctor, but it’s in dispute what happens when the team’s doctor and the player’s disagree on the treatment.
Schilling, who spent seven weeks on the disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis last year, went 9-8 with a 3.87 ERA during the regular season last year. In the playoffs, he went 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA to help the Red Sox win their second World Series in four seasons. He agreed in November to a contract that allows him to earn an addition $5 million in performance and weight bonuses.
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