A little more info on CMW’s injury
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Jun 18, 2008 
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F.O.B. (Friend Of the Blog) Will Carroll spoke to a foot injury expert about Chien-Ming Wang. With Will’s kind permission, here is what Dr. Philip Kwong of the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic said:
“It is unusual to have both a Lisfranc ligament sprain and partial tear peroneal longus together, and longer time will be needed for recovery (8-12 weeks if no significant instability occurs at the Lisfranc joints). The combined injuries represent greater rotational stress than would be experienced for each injury alone. Prognosis and time line for recovery will depend on the exact amount of ligament/tendon tear sustained and on the amount of tissue remaining to provide stability. Healing is the formation of scar tissue and not regrowth of the normal ligament or tendon tissue; consequently, future problems such as arthritis can occur at Lisfranc’s joints or reinjury of the peroneal longus tendon.”
In other words, it could take much longer than six weeks for Wang to heal. The best-case scenario is six weeks to heal, four weeks to rebuild arm strength and back in September. But there’s probably a better than 50 percent chance that the next time Wang throws a pitch it will be in Tampa in February.
Keep in mind that a starting pitcher puts more stress on his body than a reliever. Throwing 100 pitches means pushing off that right foot about 160 times counting your warm-ups before and during the game. Brian Bruney, as a result, can come back quicker than Wang.
Plus a lower-body injury always puts a pitcher in danger of altering his mechanics enough to risk injury to his elbow or shoulder. Wang has had shoulder issues in the past (although not since 2005), so the Yankees will be cautious in that regard.
Wang said he will do exercises to keep his arm strong and he is eager to come back as soon as he can. Back in 2005, Wang went on the DL with a shoulder issue, came back in September and made five starts (2-2, 4.36 ERA). So he knows the drill.
But he’s never had an injury like this before. As Will pointed out in Baseball Prospectus, how the Yankees handle Wang will be tied to their record.
As was mentioned in the game post on Tuesday, Larry Bowa texted Wang and Ron Guidry called him. Nice of those guys to check in like that. I suspect Wang will get a call from Joe Torre, too.
Wang doesn’t get much (if any) television time, so fans don’t know him well. But he’s a good guy who everybody in the clubhouse likes. He’ll have a lot of support from his teammates.
We get a lot of readers in Taiwan (which is why I’m posting now) and I’ll try and keep you posted on Wang’s recovery over the course of the next few months.
thanks for all the updates today pete- you’ve been superman
Thanks for the updated information. As Wang’s fans in Taiwan, we especially feel touched.
Well that’s not good to hear. Best to let him heal properly NO MATTER WHAT. Even if we are in the hunt, I don’t want to see him until he is fully healed. Let us not forget the physcological effects of an injury. My prayers are with CMW.
http://tinyurl.com/5nh5vr
BETANCES IS BACK SOON AFTER SHOULDER SORENESS, COX THROWIN G AGAIN
for those who missed it in the last thread..thanks brandon
Thanks for keeping us posted, Peter.
link
WTF WHAT TYPE OF SICK JOKE IS THIS
I’m in shock a senior citizen like Bowa knows how to text.
I still can’t believe Wang has such extensive damage from running on grass. I could understand if it was astroturf or if he planted his foot incorrectly on a base, but grass – grass.
I’m just glad that Leon Powe got his ring.
Nick you got to be kidding
Brandon- when do you sleep?
Leon Powe is my favorite Celtic and there’s no second place.
Off day tomorrow but I’m just about done tonight. Good night all !
Thanks,Pete. It’s nice of you to keep updating the information.
Thank you, Peter.You are considerate of Taiwan people
Pete,
It’s so warmly that Ron Guidry teased Wang: “you can pitch, but you can’t run.” as well as Larry Bowa texted him. I’m touching…………….
Would you please tell Chien-Ming to get some funny comics to read or whatever it is, which can make him laugh loudly every day, as a good mood will accelerate his recovery and a 100% foot healed is the top priority.
thank you for posting in the middle of the night.
Thanks, Pet. Without CMW, life becomes black and white, and it’s as dull as draft beer without ice., Yankees without the breeze from Taiwan.
However, we’ll put your blog as the front page all the time.
How about trying some Chinese medicine which should have magical solution, as you know.
thanks pete , Taiwan loves you!!!
Peter, You’re so nice and your blog is rich in content. I really appreciate your hard work. Hope you can visit Taiwan someday. You’ll see you are really famous in this beautiful island.
Hey guys,
I know I haven’t posted in a long while (well, a week since i posted a similar message), but I lost the internet in my dorm (plus was in the hospital for a bit), so I can’t follow those night games etc. live that much anymore. The game yesterday looked pretty good though (although that really is an anemic lineup, it seems – Mo just toyed with them)
Anyway, now the doctor cleared me to fly, and I’m coming to the States from June 27th until July 22nd, together with my brother. Now, we’re starting and finishing in NYC, so if anybody has good tips on what to see Yankee-wise and where to look for some opportunities for a nice game, that’s more than welcome (of course, general travel tips are nice too).
If we can make it, it’ll be my brother’s first big league game, he’s never been to the States before.I was at this game though (can’t believe how everything worked out that evening): http://www.baseball-reference......5100.shtml
Oh, and I apologize should I repost this when a new thread opens.
Poor Wang.
It is completely ridiculous to think that Wang may never start in Yankee Stadium, again.
I love to hear the support from former Yankees such as Guidry(no doubt Torre will call) to Wang! Their tie does not end even if they leave the organization. Hope for the best to Wang and I figured he would be out until next year!
Thanks for the updated information, Peter. Your book and blogs are very popular in Taiwan. And I hope CMW will get better soon. I am sure he will be missed by all of us Yankees fans.
“Keep in mind that a starting pitcher puts more stress on his body than a reliever. Throwing 100 pitches means pushing off that right foot about 160 times counting your warm-ups before and during the game. Brian Bruney, as a result, can come back quicker than Wang.”
if wang is healed enough for one inning but not for starting and there’s no heath risk pitching one inning, why not have him pitch that one inning in relief?
on the other hand, since the yankees have chosen to not sign wang to a long term contract because of injury possibilities to pitchers, the smart more for wang to make for his own self interest is to take no chances, and get ready next february for the rest of his career making sure he doesn’t take chances that the yankees themselves weren’t willing to take.
in other words if the yankees are protecting themselves, by not giving wang a long term contract, wang should protect himself by going along with the yankee logic that pitchers can get hurt.
using the yankees own logic and refusing to take a chance themselves, wang using yankee logic really should shut it down until next year. why should he take a chance the yankees themselves won’t take.
if i were him unless they give me the long term contract, i’m not pitching in september when waiting until february increases the chance i’ll be healthier for my career.
the yankees can’t have it both ways. they can’t sign short term contracts with pitchers and have little future risk, and then ask pitchers to try to come back early to help them.
Byrd got spanked by the 29-42 Rockies… can we scratch him off the list too now?
Randy,
I hear what you’re saying about Wang refusing to pitch until Feb, and frankly thats probably the most likely scenario. The only problem is that when he goes into arbitration next year he will get less money because of this injury. By coming back in September he will increase his salary in 2009. I hope the Yanks sign him to a long-term deal because he’s been a great Yankee and I believe he will continue to be great.
“Byrd got spanked by the 29-42 Rockies… can we scratch him off the list too now?”
Yes please. Next up, Gil Meche?
Why was Byrd even on the list to begin with? Yes he is a crafty vet, but he more often than not has bad outings, something the Yankees don’t need.
From the sounds of the extent of the injury, doesn’t it make you think that he might had already injured it somewhat with his pitching, and running the bases just finished it off?
None of us know the full extent of the injury that Wang suffered. The damage may not be as bad as it sounds, or it could be worse than it sounds. So much will depend on how fast Wang heals, but I tend to doubt that the Yankees are counting on his return this year.
I’m not even from Taiwan and I care! Yes NYC cares about CMW!!!
I was just wondering when we would hear the Wanger talk b/c he said on Sunday that after his MRI he will talk. This prognosis is not great news. And the irony is that people kept debating his ace-ness when he was pitching well. Now that he’s hurt, Hank, Moose, Andy, NYT, Post, SI and ESPN are all calling him the Yankees’ ace.
Pete, you may want to suggest to CMW to change his number, if even just as a joke. I’ve lived in Asia and still travel there extensively and know the Chinese culture very well, #40 is just about the most unlucky number a Chinese person can have. Even though Wang himself may not be superstitious, superstition is part of baseball culture, maybe he needs to reconsider. He should switch with Dan Giese for #38:-)
From MLBTR –
Wang Repercussions Link
“We don’t cover injuries here at MLBTR. But with Chien-Ming Wang’s possibly season-ending foot injuries, I’ve already received a boatload of emails from Yankees fans asking what’s next.
The starting pitching market has already changed since our June 4th post – Sidney Ponson has been released, Miguel Batista demoted to the bullpen, and Odalis Perez, Jeremy Bonderman, and Brad Penny are hurt. Plus, the Tigers are coming around.
That leaves plenty of viable names for the Yankees to consider, though. Reasonable acquisition targets include Joe Blanton, Rich Harden, Erik Bedard, Derek Lowe, C.C. Sabathia, Randy Wolf, Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla, and Paul Byrd. Most of these pitchers would probably be an upgrade over the team’s internal options. The Yankees have multiple young pitchers and outfielders considered to be among the top 100 prospects in the game who could be used as trade chips. Freddy Garcia could also be a consideration; he may be back by late August and only costs money.”
From that list – my top 5: (excluding the pricey CC)
1) Harden
2) Blanton
3) Lowe
4) Millwood
5) Bedard (is he really a clubhouse cancer?)
of course – I have concerns with the cost (prospects) of any A’s product as well as Harden’s injury prone history. But I’d take em in that order if available.
I am a medical doctor in Taiwan, and i myself experienced Lisfranc injury of my right foot 7 years ago. I believe conservative treatment is impossible to cure this kind of injury. And the earlier the surgery is done, the better outcome. Lisfranc is a terribly injury. If there is no prompt treatment, cripple is not impossible.
randy l,
I totally agree with you!!!!!!!!!!!
“if i were him unless they give me the long term contract, i’m not pitching in september when waiting until february increases the chance i’ll be healthier for my career.
the yankees can’t have it both ways. they can’t sign short term contracts with pitchers and have little future risk, and then ask pitchers to try to come back early to help them.”
This is major conflict of interest for me. I love the Yankees and am also a big fan of the Wanger. Hmmmm, this is a tough one but you make a good point here.
patrick-
the yankees would be smart to show good faith and either sign wang to a long term contract or be very generous if they continue to go to arbitration.
i’m not going to say where i got it from, but it’s from a source close to wang, he was really ticked off over the last arbitration and even before this injury said it was going to take more because of that to keep him a yankee. there was an implication that he would walk if the yankees play hardball with him right up to free agency.
wang is so quiet it’s hard to get a read on him, but judging by his pitching there’s more to him than meets the eye.
the yankees should not take it for granted that wang will follow the “plan” cashman has for him. if wang continues to be wang, can you imagine what he’ll get on the open market as a free agent?
i think the yankees would be wise to be proactive and sign him to a long term contract now buying out some of the free agent years. i think it would do a lot to show wang the yankees aren’t trying to have it all their way.
I agree randy, the Yanks should throw this arbitration stuff out the window and sign Wang longterm. He will get a Zito-like contract as a free agent if he continues to pitch like he has. I doubt the Yankees will pony up that much cash to keep him around. I think they should sign him now when his value is relatively low. It would solve two problems; keep him for longer at a bargain price and keep him happy.
Wang has shown some very good consistancy with his performance. I thought the Yankees were wrong to both fight him on the arbitration amount and not signing him to a long term contract last year. Trouble is, his injury this year kind of makes the case for the Yankees in the way they handled this. Wang will be paid quite well for sitting and recovering.
Don’t get me wrong, I like CMW, I would like to see him in Pinstripes for a long time. This year, however, Wang gets to channel his inner Pavano, that might take some of his anger away about the arbitration, as he seems to want to compete and do well.
Wouldn’t it be ironic if Wang came back in late September and because of arm strength issues ended up as the set up man in the playoffs?!
randy l,
You got the key point!
Taiwanese feel very sadly about Wang’hurt ,
but we think his healthy and pitch is most important than anything.
If Yankee don’t want to give Wang long contractt ,Wang should not hurry to come back.
We want Wang could pitch more and more game in the future,and in health.
Wang should pitch only when his foot injury is completely healed. I would rather lose him for this season than push him to pitch at the risk of losing him for another season. Also, his health, not his pay, should be the main concern. Still, he does deserve a better pay.
Thanks for your information!
From the sounds of the extent of the injury, doesn’t it make you think that he might had already injured it somewhat with his pitching, and running the bases just finished it off?
I don’t see any reason to think that. I think it’s just that none of his training has involved running hard around a corner, and so the muscles that hold the foot together for that kind of move were weak. The stresses are totally different than those his foot experiences when pitching, or when running straight.
Bob
Funny thing is..I use Wang as my set up man in MLB 2k8. It’s worked out beautifully I go 7 innings with Joba of 2 hit ball or better then Wang to Mo and I’m ranked in the top 100 in the world.
Dear Peter:
Thanks for all you have updated about WANG here. In Taiwan, we could just get something irrelevant report from our unprofessional sport news. Your effort will be remembered and maybe someday you could authorize someone to translate your colum into Chinese. After all, not so many people here can read your blog smoothly. Thanks again. God bless CMW and you.
Arch Chen 20080618
Bowa was fraternizing with another team’s player??!!! He should be suspended immediately.
Thanks for your information!It’s really useful.
Thanks for the post
well 21 gun salute for cmw… i would rather have him back healthy in 09 if the we dont make the playoffs i can live without the agida this post season
In other words, he’s probably not going to be back at all this season.
Thank you, Pete. You’re a true friend of Taiwan. Do come visiting us someday!
Thanks for the update Pete. I love the Yankees almost as much as I love Wang. Would love to see the Yanks doing better and better during Wang’s absence. Meanwhile any related news would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you all the post,Peter.
I hope Wang will get better soon.
GO Yankees!!GO Wang