FORT MYERS - Curt Schilling finally faced reporters Monday - and an uncertain future. If the shoulder rehabilitation he reluctantly agreed to fails, he knows his brilliant career could be over.
The one-time Red Sox ace also denied that he was hurt when he signed an $8 million contract last November.
Speaking publicly for the first time about his preference for surgery, Boston's 41-year-old right-hander said he had to follow the team's insistence on rehab because he is under contract.
"I don't have any choice. If their course of action doesn't work I don't pitch this year, and I may never pitch again," Schilling said. "I have to mentally get behind it and do everything I can do to make it work."
Team owner John Henry said he thought rehabilitation was the best treatment and, from what he's heard, there's "a reasonably good chance" that Schilling will pitch this season.
The club and the pitcher hope he can return around the All-Star break.
"He shouldn't be upset because we're trying to do what's in the best interests of Curt and the team," Henry said.
Schilling could see why Henry feels rehab is best.
"When you understand the depths of the different diagnosis, the incredible variations in potential treatments and timetables you should be able to understand to some degree why I might be upset at being forced to take this course of action," Schilling said. "That being said, that process is over and right now I am focused on trying to find out as quickly as possible whether or not this course of action will work."
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