The Boston Red Sox have been battling a mountain of injuries this season, and it’s definitely had them struggling at times. Turns out, one of their key left-handed pitchers, Patrick Sandoval, has been grinding through a nagging issue that’s way bigger than it sounds.
The Blister Bombshell That Explains Everything
Sandoval just had a really rough outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He got shelled for seven runs on nine hits in just four innings of work. He walked three batters, though he did manage to strike out six. After that game, the Boston Globe dropped a bombshell that might explain a lot. Sandoval told reporters he’s been pitching with a blister on his left foot basically all season. The guy said it’s “just a matter of pain tolerance,” but if he’s calling it out, you know it’s gotta be hurting.
Why a “Minor” Blister Is a Major Problem
Listen, a blister might not look like much on the surface, but the Red Sox are no joke. The source explicitly says that if this team was fully healthy, we’d be looking at not just an elite squad, but potentially the absolute best in all of Major League Baseball. Sandoval is a huge piece of that puzzle. If he can’t properly push off his left foot when he’s on the mound, that’s going to mess with his mechanics and, ultimately, the quality of his pitches. Everyone knows what Sandoval can do when he’s right, so this blister is keeping him from hitting that level.
You gotta hope this issue can finally get resolved over the next few months. But the tough truth is, if he’s been dealing with it for the entire year, there’s a strong chance this problem could totally stick around and become a factor in the postseason. For a team with championship aspirations, every healthy arm is crucial, and Sandoval is an absolutely important piece of what Boston is trying to accomplish.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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