Jenks talked with the media in Fort Myers, Fla., revealing details about the offseason surgery and complications that forced another emergency procedure.
It was a disastrous offseason for Bobby Jenks, who endured two surgeries, including an emergency procedure.Bobby Jenks, in his first season with the Red Sox in 2011, left much to be desired. After recording 173 saves over the previous six seasons with the Chicago White Sox, Jenks was one of the biggest disappointments for Boston in a season full of them.
Speaking Thursday in Fort Myers, Fla., Jenks explained that his offseason may have been even worse.
According to The Boston Globe's Peter Abraham and ESPN Boston's Joe McDonald, Jenks' had emergency surgery to repair complications related to his Dec. 12 spine surgery. All of that, of course, came after a pulmonary embolism forced him to wait until mid-December to fix the back issue that landed him on the disabled list twice in 2011.
"I don't know whose fault it was, but there was an error done inside. I had four bone spurs on my spine and we talked about taking the top two out. The third one was started but not finished, so basically there was a serrated edge that sliced me open in two different spots and I was leaking spinal fluid. (The spur) pulled off the bottom of my incision and blew up on me, which caused an infection to climb up that incision and now I had an infection in my spine. It was a combination of 'everything that could have gone wrong went wrong."If not caught in time, the condition could have worsened and become life-threatening.
Both reports comment on Jenks' weight. Last year at this time, the reliever weighed 275 pounds. He appears much lighter than that and when asked by McDonald just how much weight he has already lost, Jenks replied: "Enough."
The Red Sox --- new manager Bobby Valentine, in particular --- have essentially ruled out Jenks for no less than the first half of the season. And there are many question marks in that thought process. Still, Jenks, in the second year of a two-year, $12 million deal, remains hopeful. The goal is to return to the major league diamond this summer.
He'll start the season on the 60-day disabled list and returned to Fort Myers a few days ahead of schedule.
It's assumed across the league that a team can never have enough pitching. While that may be the truth, one is to wonder just how much space there may be for an aging question mark returning halfway through the season after an offseason that included two surgeries.
The Red Sox, who were a relatively subdued in the offseason free agency frenzy, did make great strides in the pitching staff and much of the additional firepower was added to what was an already-dependable bullpen.
While Jonathan Papelbon (signed with Phillies) and Daniel Bard (moved to the starting rotation) are gone, the Red Sox now have two capable late-inning relievers in Mark Melancon and Andrew Bailey. Add to the mix Matt Albers, Alfredo Aceves and a number of prospects vying for a spot, the bullpen may be in good shape even without Jenks' services.