Talk about bad timing. Less than 24 hours before game 1 of the NLDS against Milwaukee, Philly OF Pat Burrell left batting practice with back soreness. Burrell has been reliable all season long, playing in over 150 games while batting .250 and hitting 33 home runs. The Phillies will evaluate Burrell before the game, but for now his status is uncertain.
Mets pitcher John Maine underwent right shoulder surgery on Tuesday to remove a lesion from the back of the socket. Maine had a solid season, going 10-8 with a 4.18 ERA. He is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for spring training at the start of next season.
The Red Sox may be a bit beat up going into the playoffs, but there is a possibility they will get both J.D. Drew and Mike Lowell back sometime during the postseason. Both players have been moving forward with rehabilitation and Francona is optimistic about their return.
The Brewers will have to play the first round of the playoffs without one of their best pitchers, Ben Sheets. Sheets had one of his best seasons ever with 13 wins, but he will not be available for the first round, maybe even for the entire postseason.
Boston ace Josh Beckett suffered an oblique injury and has been slated into game three of the first round of the playiff against the Angels instead of Game 1. Beckett will follow John Lester and Daisuke, who have both have great regular seasons, but neither has put up the type of numbers in the postseason that Beckett has.
