Tuesday will be the most important day of the 2010 season. So far.

That’s when Jared Mitchell will undergo surgery on a torn ankle tendon, which he suffered while making a great catch against the wall during split-squad action in Tempe on Friday. The initial impression is that he’s done for the year, although if it’s just the tendon, an August return might not be out of the question.

Phil Rogers is already preparing for the worst:

A walk later, Mitchell broke for third on the front end of a double steal. He dove toward the bag, reaching for it with an outstretched hand, and beat the throw from Brad Ausmus by a fingernail.

Exciting play. Exciting player.

It’s going to be awhile, if ever, before we see that from Mitchell again.

But seriously, he does have a point in the final graf, when he says Mitchell’s injury could have been prevented had the Sox not sent a squad up to Las Vegas for what he called a “cash grab” with the Cubs, as he was already re-assigned to minor league camp.

That’s a valid concern, although Rogers has a habit of taking Sox prospects’ hardships rather personally.  Also, it puts Dayan Viciedo’s jog to first in a different light. Not that running to first and crashing into a wall pose the same health risks, but there is some value in taking it easier when the games don’t count.

Click to continue »