David Ross

Boston Red Sox catcher David Ross comes up limping after running out a ground ball against the New York Yankees during the sixth inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston Friday, Aug. 1, 2014. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

(Winslow Townson)

BOSTON -- David Ross had been hoping to play through the excruciatingly painful plantar fasciitis in his right foot until one day the tendon would rupture and he could begin the healing process.

Would it hurt? Oh yeah. He couldn't describe the feeling when he did it back in 2007 while with the Cincinnati Reds. But once the pain goes away it becomes a form of self-surgery in a way.

On Friday night, the 37-year-old catcher was running down the first base line when he suddenly slammed on the brakes, tried to run out a groundball and then hobbled off into the dugout. It appeared as if he finally got his wish.

Ross never returned to the game and was seen limping through the Red Sox clubhouse afterward. Manager John Farrell wouldn't say if the tendon had ruptured, but catcher Dan Butler was removed from the game at Triple-A Pawtucket and would be a logical replacement should Ross need to be placed on the 15-day disabled list.

"We’ll evaluate him tomorrow," Farrell said. "Looks like he’s got some pain in that plantar fascia tendon. We’ll take a look at him tomorrow to make any determination at that point."

Ross described his injury recently in Toronto, saying he would "feel a lot better" if he ruptured the tendon but he would play on his foot until he did.

Ross has been a valuable mentor to 23-year-old catcher Christian Vazquez and his knowledge during advanced meetings is well-respected and appreciated.

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