WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- The Boston Red Sox began spring training Monday with the news that first baseman Carlos Quintana has been injured in an auto accident in Venezuela and may be lost to the team for much of the upcoming season.
Quintana reportedly suffered a broken foot and a broken left arm in the auto accident Sunday near his home in Caracas.
Quintana reportedly was rushing his brothers to a hospital when the accident happened. Quintana's brother reportedly had been shot after being involved in an earlier accident.
Quintana said in a report in Monday's Boston Globe that he was to undergo surgery Monday morning, but that he dismissed doctors' speculation he may miss the season.
The first baseman said that 'I'm going to play.'
Red Sox officials said they had no information on the accident or Quintana's status.
Manager Butch Hobson said he had not been notified officially of the accident.
The Red Sox front office has been preoccupied in recent days by the health problems facing principal owner Jean Yawkey. She was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston late last week after suffering a stroke.
The hospital Sunday downgraded her condition from 'serious' to 'very serious.'
As for Quintana, members of his family told the Globe he will need at least four weeks of recovery from surgery, followed by rehabilitation.
It was reported the accident happened about 2 a.m. in the town of Tacarigua de Monporal, about 120 miles east of Caracas. Quintana was the driver and had four passengers in the car with him, including his wife and three brothers. All were injured.
Two of his brothers, Eddy and Roberto, were shot earlier when the car they were in crashed into another vehicle and an argument followed.
Quintana had been scheduled to report to spring training at the end of this week with the rest of the regulars.
Monday was the official opening of the Red Sox spring training camp, with pitchers, catchers and other early arrivals reporting in.
Pitchers Dana Kiecker and Jeff Reardon were not expected Monday. Kiecker's wife is expecting, and Reardon was at home suffering with a strep throat and fever.
The Red Sox first exhibition game will be March 7 against Detroit.
