Red Sox closer Andrew Bailey may start the season on the disabled list due to "a thumb situation," as manager Bobby Valentine described it Sunday afternoon, and is headed back to Boston, where he will be examined on Monday.

Bailey threw 26 pitches in a Minor League contest Wednesday, but he hasn't appeared in a Grapefruit League game since March 25. The Red Sox aren't sure when he injured his right thumb, but it's possible it happened when he collided with the Pirates' Alex Presley at first base during a March 21 game.

"The only thing I can think of is he went down after the collision, and with the adrenaline didn't even realize anything happened," Valentine said.