FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red Sox manager and former pitching coach John Farrell and pitcher Jon Lester yesterday defended the use of Toradol, a legal anti-inflammatory drug whose use has become increasingly controversial.
“Obviously Toradol is the news, whether it is football or here, but this is a legal drug that guys have used for a number of years as part of a maintenance or really to handle any kind of more than normal aches and pains,’’ Farrell told The Post. “The one thing we do know, by no means has it ever been used to mask an injury.’’
A Red Sox official told The Post: “We are reviewing our policy in terms of its use — how we use it, not whether we use it. It’s a legal drug. A doctor, a licensed physician, has the right to prescribe it. We’re looking at it to make sure we’re putting our players’ health first. It’s an issue where there’s increased awareness.’’
Former Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon told ESPN Boston that he and several teammates used Toradol, which is not a banned substance in baseball but has been questioned due to its long-term effects which can lead to serious health risks, including blood loss.
“I don’t use it to mask pain,’’ Lester explained. “The dosages we used are so small. For me, it’s used more for, ‘Hey, we’re having a tough day getting going body-wise because your body’s achy, stiff, whatever. Let’s do this to kind of get me going.’ I hope this doesn’t get this personal about it as far as being an illegal substance. Basically, it’s a glorified Advil.
“I don’t feel like we’ve ever abused it. I’ve used it but I’ve never been pressured into using it. I can only speak for myself on that.”
Papelbon said he was injected with Toradol about a half-hour prior to the games, and he first started using the drug in 2007. Upon signing with the Phillies in 2012, Papelbon was told he could no longer use it. Other teams have used the drug with their players.
“The Red Sox are trying to investigate it and they are going to do what’s best for the players,’’ Lester said. “That’s why I’ve always respected this organization. They have our best interests at heart.’’
Papelbon’s former teammate Clay Buchholz used the drug last year and said it could have been the reason he was hospitalized with esophagitis, which caused him to miss half of the season.