Years are catching up to Sox’ captain

MLB. There comes a time in every baseball player’s career when things have to change.

Maybe the fiery fastball doesn’t have the same zip, the bat speed has slowed down or the late explosive action that snapped bats like twigs has disappeared as age and innings conspire against pristine athleticism.

There’s a time when adjustments need to be made.

There’s no shame in it, and 36-year-old Jason Varitek may be entering that inevitable phase of his career.

During his 10 years as Boston’s backstop, there have only been two seasons (both due to injuries) when Varitek played in less than 130 games — an important number for a catcher who is entering the final portion of his career while in the middle of a contract year.

“It’s a work in progress,” said Varitek, who admitted he was physically “battling” after playing in every game since the Sox’ last off-day on June 26. “I still know that I can go out there and influence the game in a lot of different ways. It’s a tough thing to swallow sometimes, but I know I can go out there and do it.”

It’s no secret the heart and soul of the Sox has grappled with some fairly epic offensive woes, including a stretch over the last month and a half when he’s basically averaged two hits a week. Varitek hit .122 in June and enters this weekend hitting .143 in July, but he also flashed some positive signs with a two-hit performance in Wednesday afternoon’s win.

The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder seemed to have a little more spring in his step, and the extra zip may be the key to preserving Varitek down the stretch. Sox manager Terry Francona opted to rest his catcher Tuesday night in a game he normally would have caught.

The best way to get Varitek out of his prolonged slump may be an extra day off per week to keep the Sox’ captain fresh, a necessary concession while maintaining there’s no doubt Varitek remains an irreplaceable, pitch-handling, team-leading commodity.

“His hitting is an added bonus,” Kevin Youkilis said. “His defense is really what means so much to all of us, and anything hitting-wise he gives to us we love.”