An infusion of intrigue

And so we're off and running again.

J.D. Drew is hurt. It might be a big deal or it might not, but in the Hub hardball news drought of 2009, it qualifies as headlines and gets eyeballs rolling.

The Sox are downplaying Drew's condition. Reminded that the New England media and Sox fans would probably make it a big deal, Francona said, "Go ahead. I'm just telling you what happened. I can't change my story. Have a ball with it."

We will. Like toll hikes on the Mass. Pike, Drew's injury history is a well-worn subject that inspires sarcasm and anger from the citizenry.

You know the drill. Nancy Drew. Audie Murphy Drew. Old Blood and Guts. More days off than a State House employee. Won't play hurt. Typical Scott Boras client.

Drew makes for an easy target. But this sudden round trip raises legitimate questions about his health and readiness for the upcoming season - which raises questions about the offensive firepower of a Manny-less lineup with Mike Lowell recovering from surgery and Big Papi in decline.

According to Francona, Drew flew to Boston Sunday and received the shot from Dr. Bill Palmer Monday. He flew back Monday night.

Does that make any sense? A guy with a herniated disk flies three hours in the teeth of a snowstorm to get a shot that could be administered in the training room at City of Palms Park. Who does that? And we are supposed to believe this is no big deal?

"If I needed somebody to put a needle in me, Bill Palmer's doing it," said Francona. "He's the best. I don't think a two-hour flight is going to put [Drew] over the edge.

"If if was that big a deal, I wouldn't have told you guys, 'cause nobody asked me," added the smiling manager. "You crack media guys didn't even know he was gone."

This is the same Drew who started only two regular-season games after Aug. 17 last season. This is the same Drew who has played more than 140 games in only two of his 10-plus big league seasons. This is a guy who has three seasons remaining on a contract that pays him $14 million annually - more than any other Red Sox player.