Sox Shelve Wakefield for Series

With the Red Sox on the brink of the World Series, knuckleballer Tim Wakefield has decided to shut it down due to worsening inflammation behind his right shoulder. Wakefield was shelled in his only playoff start, Game 4 against Cleveland, allowing five runs, and doctors warned that he might suffer permanent damage to his shoulder if he kept pitching. Rookie Jon Lester is likely to take his starting spot.

The pitcher reasoned that he shouldn't occupy a roster spot if there was a chance he couldn't pitch. Added the 41-year-old, "I don't think it's fair to me, lastly, that I go out and injure myself and I'm not available for next year or the year after that." Relief pitcher Kyle Snyder was added to the Sox 25-man roster for the Series to replace Wakefield. (More Boston Red Sox stories.)