Lester: Red Sox looking into Toradol policy
The Red Sox are looking into their use of a controversial anti-inflammatory drug commonly used as a pain killer, Boston left-hander Jon Lester told ESPNBoston.com.
Lester said the team's medical staff and general manager Ben Cherington told the Red Sox pitchers that the organization is evaluating its policy regarding Toradol, which is legal and is not banned by Major League Baseball.
The meeting occurred a day after Philadelphia Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon detailed to ESPNBoston.com his regimen of Toradol injections while he was pitching for the Red Sox.
"It's good they're looking into it," Lester told the website. "As players, though, we just think it's a bigger Advil, a stronger Advil. But I think it's nice to know our organization cares about us long term and wants to nip this thing in the bud.
"If they ban it or outlaw it or say you can't take it anymore, it's not going to affect anybody. I think guys use it more for getting loose, and for comfort level, than masking pain."
Lester, like Papelbon, said he and other Red Sox players were regularly injected with the drug. Toradol has become controversial in sports because of its dangerous side effects.
Last season, Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz acknowledged that the drug may have contributed to the esophagitis that sidelined him for 20 games. Buchholz was hospitalized in intensive care and lost three or four pints of blood while dealing with the condition.
Papelbon hasn't suffered from any similar side effects, but he said that he hasn't had a Toradol shot since joining the Phillies prior to the 2011 season. During his physical with Philadelphia, Papelbon admitted to using the drug and was told he had to stop.
