Joel Hanrahan injury: Red Sox reliever to see Dr. James Andrews

Boston Red Sox reliever Joel Hanrahan, currently on the disabled list, will seek the second opinion of Dr. James Andrews to determine the extent of his injury.

Both the Red Sox and Hanrahan are concerned that the reliever may be hurt more than originally presumed, as the closer's transfer to the 60-day DL indicates. More specifically, the concern is that he may have damaged his ulnar collateral ligament. If that is the case, Hanrahan could require Tommy John surgery, according to ESPN. Currently, Hanrahan is out with a forearm strain.

Hanrahan, 31, will meet with Andrews on Friday. Dr. Andrews is one of the leading orthopedists with regards to Tommy John surgery. Initially, Hanrahan's MRI did not show any damage to the UCL.

Hanrahan had a similar injury to his current strain in 2010 with the Pirates. However, he said that he did not have as severe of bruising around his arm then as he currently has now.

This is already Hanrahan's second stint on the disabled list after coming over in an offseason trade with the Pirates. Earlier this season he missed time with a strained hamstring.

Hanrahan was expected to be the team's closer this season but a combination of ineffectiveness, injury, and Andrew Bailey putting up great numbers caused the team to insert Bailey in the ninth inning. Bailey is also currently on the disabled list.

If Hanrahan does need Tommy John, the usual recovery time is 12-16 months.