"The Red Sox' return on their $12 million investment in reliever Bobby Jenks will be delayed some more, after word came out yesterday that the oft-injured right-hander had a second surgical procedure on his back.

Jenks, set to make another $6 million this season after earning $6 million for 19 appearances, a 2.23 WHIP and a 6.32 ERA last year, will not be ready at the start of spring training. Whether or not he will be available at the start of the regular season remains to be seen.

Last year, Jenks missed May with a biceps strain and at midseason a back problem cropped up. A pulmonary embolism, discovered in September, pushed back his first surgery. Complications forced the second, less serious procedure."