Press COnference - Varitek keeps positive outlook

August 3, 2006 | Boston Herald | By Tony Massarotti

Jason Varitek hobbled into the room and hobbled out. In between, the Red Sox catcher opted to take the optimistic view.

But then, that is probably part of the reason why he is the team captain.

Speaking for the first time since being diagnosed with a torn meniscus that will require him to undergo arthroscopic surgery this morning, Varitek yesterday expressed confidence that the battered Red Sox can endure their current plight. And if (or when) they do, Varitek believes the Sox will be better off for it.

“This is what makes teams really good,” Varitek said when asked about the test the club faces. “This is the type of thing that Doug (Mirabelli) has shined in very much (in the past) and I expect him to (again). It’s not the end of the world. It’s probably more the end of the world for me than it is for the team.”

Time will tell.

Sidelined for a minimum of four weeks, Varitek acknowledged that both he and the club will have a much better read on his injury following today’s outpatient procedure. That determination could have an impact on whether the Sox trade for a catcher, though that may be a probability regardless of the specifics.

The Sox are believed to be exploring a deal for Baltimore’s Javy Lopez, a poor defensive catcher who could clear waivers as soon as today. Another option would be to pursue a more defensively skilled catcher to work in a rotation with Mirabelli and, perhaps, Ken Huckaby.

Varitek believes he suffered the most damage to his knee while blocking the plate as Los Angeles Angels catcher Mike Napoli slid into his leg over the weekend. Varitek acknowledged having some difficulty with his knee prior to the weekend, but added that he typically has some problems from the wear and tear of the season.

Regardless, Varitek said he “irritated” the injury while pulling into second base on Monday night. He is now at a point where he cannot put any pressure on his knee at all, an especially bad sign for a catcher who spends much of the game squatting.
“The placement of (the injury) is what made us all decide to do (surgery) now,” admitted Varitek, who said he and club officials explored the possibility of him playing less frequently now and having surgery after the season. “They didn’t feel like I could play through it because of what I do (defensively).”

As for a timetable on his return, Varitek sidestepped the question.  “If things go well,” he said, “hopefully there will still be sometime left at the end of the year.”

And, hopefully, the Sox will still be playing games of consequence.