Schilling's Dr Push Back the Knife

Curt Schilling's preference was to get his dislocated right ankle tendon repaired almost immediately following the World Series. However, because of the complex suture treatment the ace needed in order to make his last two starts he will require some additional time before being ready to undergo surgery.
As recently as Saturday, the day the Red Sox had their World Series championship prade, Schilling said he was hoping to have the surgery by Wednesday. However, it will be at least a few more days.

The big right-hander was checked out on Monday by Red Sox team doctor Bill Morgan.

According to Red Sox spokesman Glenn Geffner,

He was checked out today and everything looked good, but his skin was still a little irritated from some lotion they put on it during the World Series."

Schilling will be examined again on Friday. Geffner said that no date has been set for the surgery.

The one reason time is of the essence is because Schilling is expected to require six weeks of healing and six weeks of rehabilitation after the surgery.

With pitchers and catchers scheduled to report to Spring Training in mid-February, Schilling will now face a tight window if he is to be ready for the beginning of camp.

Schilling's heroics during the postseason became the stuff of legend. After he was roughed up by the Yankees in Game 1 of the ALCS, there was a good chance his season was over. It was at that point the Red Sox announced that the sheath behind one of his ankle tendons was torn.

But in a breakthrough medical procedure, Morgan and his staff used the suture treatment in which three stitches held Schilling's ankle tendon in place.

The stitches were removed after Game 6 of the ALCS at Yankee Stadium, and then reinserted for Game 2 of the World Series at Fenway Park. In those two starts, Schilling allowed a total of one earned run over 13 innings.

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photo:AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy