It's not a huge surprise that a hip problem has derailed Carlos Delgado's comeback attempt, as the 38-year-old has had a pair of hip surgeries in the last year and a half.
The disheartening aspect of a report that Delgado might have to undergo surgery again is that his latest issue is with his left hip rather than the twice-repaired right side. That's the word Delgado's agent gave the Boston Herald on Thursday after Delgado was checked out in Colorado by preeminent hip specialist Dr. Marc Phillipon.
An examination revealed a small tear in Delgado's left hip, ending his chances of joining the Red Sox down the stretch and making it appear more likely he'll have to call it a career.
The surgery is expected to keep him out for the rest of the season.
The Globe, citing a major league source, said that Pedroia was examined on Wednesday night in Baltimore by a specialist, who helped determine that the 2008 AL MVP would need the procedure.
Pedroia first injured his foot in late June, breaking a bone when he fouled a ball off of it in San Francisco.
He returned in mid-August and played two games before being placed back on the disabled list because the injury wasn't healing as rapidly as the Red Sox hoped it would.
As Manny Ramirez goes through September in his new White Sox uniform, the eyes of the baseball world will be upon him. It won't just be the normal slow-down-to-gawk-at-the-car-wreck curiosity with which we normally watch Manny. We are going to be eager to see if the old Manny, the one who was a dominant offensive force, can return, and carry the White Sox into the playoffs.
"If he hits, we'll be better," White Sox GM Kenny Williams said. "If he doesn't, we won't be better."
The White Sox trail the Twins by four games, and their offense could use a boost, which is why Ramirez is one of the guys who will be in a spotlight in the season's final month. He's not the only one. Not even on his own team.
With September upon us, here are the players who are going to be counted on the most heavily if their teams are to get where they want to be. These are players who have underperformed, but have a month to make everyone forget about what's gone wrong lately.
The surging Colorado Rockies added depth to their bullpen, acquiring right-handed reliever Manny Delcarmen and cash considerations from the Boston Red Sox for pitching prospect Chris Balcom-Miller.
The Rockies have surged into serious playoff contention by going 7-3 over their last 10 games and enter play Tuesday night 3 1/2 games behind the Phillies in the NL wild-card race.
Whether Delcarmen can help much is another issue entirely. It's been a tough year for the 28-year-old, who has posted 4.70 ERA along with a career-low strikeout rate of 6.5 per nine innings in 48 mostly low-leverage appearances for the Red Sox, but perhaps a move out of the AL East -- even if it is to a hitter's paradise like Coors Field -- can help him turn things around.
It's not a huge surprise that a hip problem has derailed 
Injured 
As Manny Ramirez goes through September in his new White Sox uniform, the eyes of the baseball world will be upon him. It won't just be the normal slow-down-to-gawk-at-the-car-wreck curiosity with which we normally watch Manny. We are going to be eager to see if the old Manny, the one who was a dominant offensive force, can return, and carry the White Sox into the playoffs.
The surging 
