Idea of Timlin opening season may get tossed

Timlin has a strained oblique muscle, and he felt enough discomfort after a 40-pitch batting practice session Wednesday he underwent an MRI the next day. The Sox then elected to shut him down, which calls into question whether Timlin will have enough time to be ready for the opener. At this juncture, it would appear highly doubtful, raising the possibility that the team's most durable reliever may begin the season on the disabled list and remain in Florida in extended spring training.

"We'll just have to see how quickly Mike responds to treatment," general manager Theo Epstein said yesterday in an e-mail. "It's too early to tell right now."

Assuming the best-case scenario, there will be just over two weeks before the start of the season if Timlin is allowed to resume throwing next week. He would no doubt have to follow the normal progression -- catch, long toss, bullpen, batting practice -- before appearing in a game, which means there would only be just over a week left in camp for that to happen. It's almost inconceivable the Sox would then deem him ready for the regular season.

And the reality is, strained oblique muscles can be difficult in terms of gauging severity, and the necessary recovery time. Sox outfielder Trot Nixon strained an oblique muscle in 2005 and missed a month. Sox shortstop Alex Gonzalez strained an oblique last September, missed 15 games, then hit just .149 after being activated, the injury clearly a hindrance.

Thursday, oft-injured Braves pitcher Mike Hampton strained an oblique muscle in batting practice; the club said he'll be out two months -- four weeks to recover from the injury, another four to build up arm strength.

Privately, the Sox concede they're not sure of the severity of Timlin's strain. Timlin was injured Feb. 25, about 10 pitches into a live batting practice session, his first of camp. He clutched his side, then walked off the field. At the time, he thought it might be just a cramp or a spasm. He joked about his age.

"Old guy starting to fall apart now," he said.