BOSTON -- If the Red Sox know the extent of David Price's latest elbow injury, team officials aren't saying. But they do expect the left-hander to pitch again this season.
Price was scratched from his scheduled start Friday night at Fenway Park and placed on the 10-day disabled list. He began experiencing discomfort in his left elbow in the days after his start last Saturday night in Anaheim, according to manager John Farrell. When the symptoms didn't subside, Price went for an MRI on Thursday that revealed inflammation.
Citing HIPAA laws, Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said he couldn't divulge specifics of the injury and declined to provide a timetable for Price's return, although he said it remains unlikely the team will acquire a starting pitcher before Monday's trade deadline. Farrell, meanwhile, downplayed the seriousness of the situation, at least in comparison to the strained flexor mass in spring training that caused Price to miss the season's first two months.
"I don't think this is anything compared to what he went through in spring training in terms of severity," said Farrell, who added that Price may be ready to resume playing catch by Monday or Tuesday. "Much less. That's by his own admission."
The move to the DL is retroactive to Tuesday, which means the soonest Price could pitch is Aug. 4 against the Chicago White Sox at Fenway Park. But considering he dealt with an elbow injury only a few months ago, the Red Sox figure to be cautious about bringing him back too soon.
Dombrowski has said the AL East-leading Red Sox aren't in the market for starting pitching at the trade deadline, unlike many other playoff contenders. The Sox also don't have the prospects to jump into the bidding for Yu Darvish, Sonny Gray or a top-flight starter after trades for closer Craig Kimbrel and starters Drew Pomeranz and Chris Sale depleted their farm system.
But it's fair to wonder whether the Red Sox will be compelled to pursue depth starters such as the St. Louis Cardinals' Lance Lynn or the Toronto Blue Jays' Francisco Liriano, both of whom are eligible for free agency at season's end and likely won't fetch a top prospect.
"We're not going to go out and make a big trade for a starting pitcher," Dombrowski said. "We're still hopeful that David will be back. We have four really proven major league starters that are quality -- Sale and [Rick] Porcello and [Eduardo] Rodriguez and Pomeranz."
Porcello started in Price's place in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals. Dombrowski said veteran right-hander Doug Fister (0-5 with a 7.46 ERA since being claimed off waivers last month) will re-enter the rotation next week with Price sidelined.
Price gave up six runs (five earned) in five innings last Saturday night against the Angels but had posted a 2.66 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 44 innings over his seven previous starts. His average fastball velocity has topped 94 mph, according to Fangraphs, which is greater than last season before he began having elbow trouble.
Price is 5-3 with a 3.82 ERA in 11 starts since returning May 29 from a spring training injury that he recently termed "a torn elbow." He underwent an MRI in early March and even flew to the NFL combine in Indianapolis to get second opinions from orthopedic surgeons Dr. James Andrews and Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
Since his return to the mound, Price has sparred with the media, ceasing to do one-on-one interviews, limiting his comments to days he pitches and even lashing out at Hall of Fame pitcher and current television analyst Dennis Eckersley on the team plane June 29.
In the highly publicized incident, Price mocked and cursed at Eckersley multiple times, according to a report in Sunday's Boston Globe that provided previously unreported details of the altercation. Price was annoyed by a comment made by Eckersley during the NESN broadcast of Boston's game against Minnesota earlier that night. When NESN showed Rodriguez's subpar pitching statistics from a rehab outing with Double-A Portland, Eckersley said, "Yuck."
Neither Price nor anyone in uniform has apologized to Eckersley, although Dombrowski said he, owner John Henry, chairman Tom Werner and team president Sam Kennedy have issued individual apologies. Asked about the incident after a July 4 start in Texas, Price said, "Standing up for my teammates. Whatever crap I catch for that, I'm fine with it."
Dombrowski put to rest conspiracy theories that the Red Sox put Price on the DL to avoid having him make his first start at Fenway since the Globe published its report.
"You can't put a guy on the disabled list unless you get medical clearance from the commissioner's office," Dombrowski said. "The commissioner's office checks, gets the doctor's report. You have to send a doctor's certification and all that."
Said Farrell: "If he was physically healthy, he'd be pitching. He's not."
Lefty reliever Robby Scott was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket to fill Price's roster spot. Scott has a 3.75 ERA in 38 relief appearances this season.
Also, utility infielder Eduardo Nunez joined the team and made his Red Sox debut Friday night as the designated hitter. Nunez, acquired late Tuesday night from the San Francisco Giants for two minor league pitchers, will play regularly at multiple positions, according to Farrell.
To open a roster spot for Nunez, infielder Deven Marrero was optioned to Triple-A.