Mon Feb 18 20:04:18 2008

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Schilling agrees to try rehab for shoulder injury

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Fort Myers, FL (Sports Network) - Boston pitcher Curt Schilling said Monday because of the one-year contract he signed with the Red Sox this offseason, he will abide by the league's collective bargaining agreement and follow through on rehabilitation for a shoulder injury instead of having surgery.

Schilling preferred surgery, but maintains that he wasn't hurt when he signed an $8 million deal with the Red Sox in November. Red Sox physician Dr. Thomas Gill recommended rehab for a tendon injury. But Dr. Craig Morgan, who operated on Schilling's right shoulder twice, said surgery was the best option. There was speculation that a surgical procedure could end Schilling's season, and ultimately his career.

"If some people want to believe this was me taking advantage of the situation financially, I wouldn't have done it here," Schilling told reporters Monday. "I would have done it for $14 million in at least two other places, if I was going to sit my [butt] on the DL and collect a paycheck. I know that for a fact. People are going to believe what they believe. I was healthy at the time. I didn't feel great, but I felt like I was 40 or 41.

"I went through the physical, I had an MRI at the time as well. I did everything they asked, passed every test they asked me to take and I felt fine. If Theo (Epstein) ever tells you anything about our discussions and negotiations, I think we were both very comfortable saying I want to go out and compete, be the ace of the staff for this final year and all the things that go with that."

The 41-year-old Schilling was 9-8 with a 3.87 earned run average in 24 starts last season, but was 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA in four postseason games. He is 11-2 in 19 career playoff games.

During his career, Schilling has posted a 216-146 record with a 3.46 ERA, having also pitched for Baltimore, Houston, Philadelphia and Arizona. The six- time All-Star and co-MVP of the 2001 World Series when he was with the Diamondbacks missed 1 1/2 months last season due to tendinitis in his shoulder.

There is no timetable for Schilling's return.