Schilling likely to miss beginning of 2005

BOSTON, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Curt Schilling may miss the start of the 2005 major league baseball season because of his injured right ankle.

The ace right-hander underwent surgery in early November after struggling through the World Series. A report from the team said his anticipated six-week rehabilitation process is taking much longer than expected.

"I'm gonna be late, I think, starting the season," Schilling told WEEI Radio in Boston Tuesday.

Schilling said he's "looking at least another month before I start throwing, which puts me a month behind."