Today in The Journal News
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Jul 05, 2009 
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Jorge Posada won it for the Yankees as they beat the Blue Jays.
Joe Girardi has a great appreciation for Lou Gehrig. This notebook also has updates on A-Rod, Jose Molina, George Steinbrenner, Johnny Damon, Phil Hughes, Phil Coke and Hideki Matsui.
The Mets have built a shaky foundation and now they’re paying the price.
SJ44 you are overrating how much Hughes has actually helped out of the bullpen. Go back and look at his game log, he’s pitched in a lot of Yankee losses. He could be a big part of the bullpen going forward but in June he wasn’t much of a factor.
Injuries to our starters was inevitable which is why keeping Hughes in the bullpen was a huge mistake. I said it weeks ago, I’m saying it now. They should have never put Hughes in the bullpen. We are seeing why that is right now. We will see it again next year when he can’t throw more than 140 innings as a starter.
It sounds like the Yanks might be doing the smart thing and having Hughes/Aceves split a start. Both guys can go about 50 pitches, that should be good enough out of your starter.
“Joe Girardi has a great appreciation for Lou Gehrig”
I, for one, am glad to see that baseball is getting more in touch with the players of its past. I remember many players, even black players, in the ’80s who confessed that they didn’t even know who Jackie Robinson was. Then there was this unfathomable quote from Donnie Baseball:
“I never heard of (Lou) Gehrig before I came here and I always thought Babe Ruth was a cartoon character. I really did. I mean, I wasn’t born until 1961 and I grew up in Indiana.” – Yankee legend Don Mattingly (1985)
It is amazing to me that you can be involved with this game and have no idea who came before you.
They’re not going to jack Hughes around and have learned their lesson with Joba.
“Yankees magic number to clinch AL East: 84
Yankees magic number to clinch playoffs: 80?
And think about this Yusssse might carry 20-40 holds in his arms. He might have 20-30 team wins result b/c of where he is right now.
OT but for you guys thinking some kids are getting delt, think again.
“The word from other organizations is that the Yankees refuse to talk about prospects Austin Jackson and Austin Romine in potential trade deadline deals.
Jackson, a 22-year-old outfielder at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre is fifth in the International League with a .320 average. Romine, a 20-year-old catcher, is batting .288 with 10 homers and 45 RBIs for Single-A Tampa.”
http://www.nypost.com/seven/07.....177529.htm
Jesus Montero getting some love from ESPNinsider:
“Jesus Montero, C, Yankees (Double-A Trenton)
Thursday’s stats: 2-for-5, HR (5), R, 2 RBI, K
Basically, if you go deep in a fourth straight game, you make the Minor League Update, and continue to do so until the streak ends. If you need someone else to keep track, the 19-year-old Venezuelan product is now 8-for-14 in those four games with 24 total bases, upping his season averages to .325/.395/.571 (batting/on-base/slugging). For a teenager in Double-A, that is entering nutsy cuckoo territory.”
http://insider.espn.go.com/fan.....ects090703
I am not underestimating what Hughes is doing in the bullpen.
They aren’t making the playoffs with a weak bullpen. They can make the playoffs with a weak #5 starter.
Especially now that Hughes is assuming a larger role in the pen.
Seem the Hughes in the bullpen is picking up steam in the local papers
http://www.newsday.com/sports/.....888.column
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....to_go.html
I agree with SJ44. Also, until we get the final word as to how long Wang is going to be out, the Yankees aren’t going to make any drastic moves like messing with their bullpen.
SJ44 July 5th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Pat,
That’s what I mean. We are only talking about 3 starts right now.
Unless Mitre or whomever they put in there just blows up, I think its easier to handle three starts than it is upsetting the bullpen rotation.
I can see both sides of the argument though.
————-
But that’s the million dollar question right now that none of us can answer.
If Wang is out for a few starts, this issue becomes a no-brainer. But if he’s out for an extended period of time (maybe 8-10 starts or more?), it would seem wise to use their sixth starter.
Was not a big fan of Hughes in the pen only because someone was going to miss some time in the rotation. It be a bit different if Kennedy was healthy. They lost some depth there. Also putting Aceves in the pen they lost some starting depth. But if Wang misses any significant time Hughes should be put back in the rotation. imo
GF, no one is disagreeing with you. I think even those of us who think Phil should remain in the pen right now think it’s a no-brainer that he return to the rotation if Wang is out for an extended period. I have no doubt the Yankees think that way as well. Another issue I have with Phil being stretched out again to start is that (a) it will take him a couple of starts at least to do it, which means maybe he’ll get maybe only a couple of “real” starts while Wang is out and (b) he’d have to go back to the pen upon Wang’s return. I’d be scared about how Phil’s arm would react to that back and forth – any pitcher’s, for that matter.
They aren’t making the playoffs with a weak bullpen. They can make the playoffs with a weak #5 starter.
Especially now that Hughes is assuming a larger role in the pen.”
We see in this recent streak that with a organized bullpen we can win close games…and with the trade deadline at the end of the month its gong to be easier and cheaper( in terms of prospects) in finding a serviceable 4/5 starter around baseball then finding a lock down reliever…
Ask yourself this… who do you want in 8th inning in September against the Rays/Sox Hughes or Chad Qualls or John Grabow?
At this point you have to work under the operative principle that anything you get from Wang this season will be a surplus benefit.
Outside of the injury itself you have to assume that Wang is going to need to build back up his effectiveness from scratch.
That’s why I think they should transition Hughes back to the rotation. Start Hughes and have either Aceves or Mitre shadow him as he gets stretched out.
The yankees handled Wang’s injury horribly. At the same time it’s been remarkable how much the off time hurt Wang. You have to assume that even more time off is only going to hurt him. That effectiveness will need to be built back up over time.
The Rays have been playing outstanding baseball recently. JP Howell has recently been acting as their closer and Randy Choate one of their key set up guys.
You can’t fall in love with Hughes in the pen because he looks so good in that role. They should be able to work their way around that problem either internally through a trade.
The AL East is far too competitive to settle for typical 5th starter performance. Wang hasn’t been great but the whole point of sticking with him was so that you could get back a #2 starter into the rotation. It was his future performance that mattered most.
Remember – Andy Pettite has been inconsistent and Joba hasn’t given them many innings. It wouldn’t be surprising if Pettite gave them typical #5 kind of performances for a good chunk of the season. Having two guys like that in the rotation (e.g. Pettite and Mitre) would be very problematic.
It’ll be painful but I think you need to move Hughes back to the rotation because that’s what maximizes the probability of the team making the playoffs.
“But if Wang misses any significant time Hughes should be put back in the rotation. imo”
To get him back to being able to throw 100 pitches it’s going to take atleast 4-6 wks. Look at Morrow w/ the Mariners he was doing the same. Joba last season. Yeh I don’t see Yussssse being put on a 4-6 wk. in training role.
4-6 wks. of Brian Bruney who can’t go back to back and is not a shut down reliever, would you really sign up for that ?
Betsy,
I’m not so sure SJ feels that way. I think he prefers Hughes to remain in the pen the rest of the season regardless what happens with Wang.
He can correct me if I’ve misinterpreted his position.
Per Bryan Hoch
No A-Rod in the line-up today. Joe Girardi said that “it just seemed like a good day not to have him play.”
FYI, Alex is not in the lineup today:
http://bombersbeat.mlblogs.com/
Alex Rodriguez is not in the Yankees lineup today as the club takes optional batting practice here on the field at Yankee Stadium. Joe Girardi said that “it just seemed like a good day not to have him play.” And, in a weather sense, it is a good day — about 75, sunny and perfect in New York. Nice to see we seem to have shrugged off all that Seattle weather.
** In before, Pete, lol
Yankees disable Wang; A-Rod out of lineup
Alex Rodriguez is not in the Yankees lineup today as the club takes optional batting practice here on the field at Yankee Stadium. Joe Girardi said that “it just seemed like a good day not to have him play.” And, in a weather sense, it is a good day — about 75, sunny and perfect in New York. Nice to see we seem to have shrugged off all that Seattle weather.
Chien-Ming Wang has been placed on the 15-day disabled list and Jonathan Albaladejo is here from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to lend a hand in the bullpen.
http://bombersbeat.mlblogs.com.....d_out.html
“For a teenager in Double-A, that is entering nutsy cuckoo territory.”
But can he hit a curveball? Anybody know?
I also think they learned their lesson moving Joba back and forth last year. I think that had something to do with his shoulder injury.
If Mitre or whomever bombs, and Wang is out longer, its easier to transition Aceves back to the 5th spot in the rotation.
He’s older, used to pitching a lot in Mexico, and they save the yo yo job with Hughes.
“The 40 man roster move for Mitre may be a bigger concern than the start. Since Nady is DLed and a free agent next year, could he be removed or does a DL prevent a DFA?”
They will move Nady to 60 day DL, and that will open a spot on 40.
More importantly you don’t mess w/ the kids arm, the yoyo’ing between roles is what might have hurt Joba and here 6 mths. after he is still trying to find his groove. Leave Yusssse where he is, people you are trying to replace a 5th starter. OK ? a 5th starter. Wang wasn’t a 3 or 4 this season, he was a 5th starter.
BB Fan – Thanks
The question I have, GF, is will the Yankees make a move for another arm? I think they have to because there is a chance that Wang is out for awhile and that Phil has to go back in the rotation. We won’t know that for a few weeks, however, and by that time, the trade deadline will have passed.
I may be forgetting what I said earlier, but if Phil goes back in the rotation, I don’t see how he can be inserted back into the pen again later (except for the post-season, but even then it worries me) – the back and forth would be terrible for his arm. I’m concerned about this
“Ask yourself this… who do you want in 8th inning in September against the Rays/Sox Hughes or Chad Qualls or John Grabow?”
Ask yourself this… who do you want starting in September against the Rays/ Sox Hughes or Sergio Mitre?
It works both ways. There’s only one Hughes to go around.
It’s not an easy decision. But not having Hughes in the rotation is going to hurt – and its especially going to hurt against teams like the Sox and Rays that have good rotations themselves.
They put Mitre in the rotation and it’s very possible that in a three game series against the Sox Andy Pettite and Mitre pitch 2 of the 3 games.
If that’s the case chances are the Yankees lose the series and that the bull pen never even comes into play much because the starter wasn’t good enough.
SJ you think Aceves into the 5th SP role 2nd half if Wang is out any longer and then they move Mitre into Aceves’ role in the BP ?
“More importantly you don’t mess w/ the kids arm, the yoyo’ing between roles is what might have hurt Joba and here 6 mths. after he is still trying to find his groove. Leave Yusssse where he is, people you are trying to replace a 5th starter. OK ? a 5th starter. Wang wasn’t a 3 or 4 this season, he was a 5th starter.”
Totally agree…In the Playoff is Hughes starting games 1,2,3 or even 4…We see him lights out as a reliever and thing he will pitch like that for 7 innings….come on look at joba….the yankees will not make that mistake again (switching pitchers from bullpen to starter mid-year)
Depending on what happens today with Joba, the starter replacing Wang in Minnesota can be Aceves.
Aceves pitched 3 innings last time out.
If Joba has to leave early, say after 5 innings, then Aceves will be stretched out for the rest of the innings. Then he may be ready for Wang’s start and go 5 innings.
If Joba today and Pettite tomorrow go long then every thing changes.
Every thing is fluid right now and with ASB coming, they may want to piece together the start before ASB and evaluate thier options.
That will give time to strech out Mitre in the next start in AAA and evaluate if he is the right guy. Given that he has 58 starts in the manjors already, I think the is the candidate. I do not think they will rush Nova or McCallister.
GF,
I’d rather they keep Hughes in the pen for the rest of the year for 3 reasons;
1. After watching them transition Joba in season last year, and having him get hurt, I’d wouldn’t risk the same thing with Hughes.
2. The bullpen is a weapon now with Hughes at the back end of it and I don’t want to see them mess with it.
3. If Mitre or whomever bombs, Aceves is more durable to transition back as the 5th starter and its easier to cover him in the pen than it is Hughes, IMO.
Sergio Mitre has an excellent sinker. See if you can catch lightening in a bottle.
Agreed, CB.
I expect this absence to be significantly longer than a month, which is why I’d favor shifting Hughes back.
However, I’d be lying if I said I’m not concerned about Hughes’ health and what that yo-yo effect would have on his body.
I mean, he did miss about a year of baseball over 2007 and 2008, so we’re not talking about the Cal Ripken or Greg Maddux of durability.
And although I can’t prove it one way or another, I believe the role switching had an affect on Joba’s shoulder coming up lame last season.
Maybe they weren’t related at all? I guess we’ll never know.
That would be the only reason why I’d be hesitant about moving Hughes right now.
I’d rather see Hughes in the pen and healthy than risk losing him altogether because his body didn’t respond well to the role switch.
a rod not in da lineup today
just finished watching Jete, Cervelli, et al take batting practice.
It’s a great day for baseball.
p.s. The red Yanks hats are $42!!
“But can he hit a curveball? Anybody know?”
murph,
For both the last two years Montero has shown a reverse platoon split. He is a right handed batter who has been better both hitting for average and for power against righties than lefties.
Now his numbers against lefties might be related to relatively small samples.
But that’s not the case with righties. He has absolutely destroyed right handed pitchers for the past two years – destroyed it.
It’s actually been his numbers against lefties that have dragged his overall performance down some.
And whether that’s an issue of sample size or experience that’s not going to last. Eventually his numbers will be better against lefties than righties.
To date he’s had no problems hitting the breaking balls he’s seen. And in AA the pitchers start to have decent secondary pitches.
You guys are all missing a major issue here when discussing the Wang injury.
The Yankees caught a huge break here with the ASG coming up. With the way the schedule works going forward the yankees will need a 5th starter exactly ONCE between now and July 21st.
That’s the equivalent of 3 times through the rotation. Why is this significant? Not only does it give them plenty of time to decide who to slide into the rotation, but by the time the break is over Wang will be starting to rehab the shoulder and the team will have a MUCH better sense of how long he’s going to be out.
Having Hughes and Aceves split the start before the break is asinine IMO. Blow out 2 of your main bullpen cogs for at least 3 games to cover one start? Silly. Let Mitre or Nova or even Igawa have that ONE start rather than use Ace/Highes and kill your pen til the ASB.
If the plan is to insert Hughes back into the rotation, he essentially has 16 days to stretch out… be that simulated games, longer bullpen innings, side sessions etc. If he can at least give them 80-90 pitches by July 21st then what’s the issue?
Personally I think unless Wang is out for the year you leave Hughes in the pen. SJ44 bringsup a great point that a lot of people forget about the 17 innings he pitched in AAA counting towards his innings. He’ll get plenty of innings this year to allow him to throw 5th starter innings next year. There’s also winter ball, if needed.
But the idea that Hughes should have been starting in AAA where he clearly has proven all he can prove is stupid. While he’s dominating the AAA guys you have Albaladejo or Edwar Ramirez in high pressure situations for the Yankees in games that actually mean something. No thanks. I’ll take my chances with Hughes in the pen.
“Ask yourself this… who do you want starting in September against the Rays/ Sox Hughes or Sergio Mitre?”
chances Mitre could be skipped which is likely or not fall into a start with the Sox but Hughes could pitch in 2 of the 3 games…. other things there are 4 off days in September… bet your but the 5 start would be skipped
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com.....038;y=2009
This is how I would go
spot start Ivan Nova or Zach McAllister on Thursday.
ASB try to land a 5th SP, Yes a guy like Bronson Arroyo
, so that if Wang returns Arroyo or whoever goes into the BP.
If not move Aceves into the 5th slot, replace him in the BP w. Sergio Mitre. Bruney to Coke to Yusssse to Mo. That should be around 30-40 wins right there and our magic number is 81 to clinch a PO spot. Just get in.
“However, I’d be lying if I said I’m not concerned about Hughes’ health and what that yo-yo effect would have on his body.”
That’s a real concern. So if the yankees were to decide to transition Aceves back to the rotation instead I think that’s reasonable as well.
Aceves throws 4 pitches with very good command. He’ll be a good back end starter.
The one area where I do think Hughes and Joba are different – Joba was in the pen for much longer and even though he technically prepared last spring as a starter he was moved to the pen early before he built up his normal starter level arm strength (which only develops into April).
So I think Hughes has that and its a major plus – he started most of the year going back to February training. He also pitched the end of the year last year and arizona league as a starter.
I think he’s more prepared to be shifted back. On the other hand he has had those injuries.
It’s not a perfect situation either way.
Brandon:
Why in the world would you bring up McAllister from AA? Nova, meanwhile, has has one start in AAA. You’re going to add them to the 40-man for one start and start their clocks? This really isn’t complicated. You have Mitre start on Thursday, see how he looks and then either keep him there or stretch out Aceves or Hughes.
Brandon, forget trying to get a starter – teams will hold the Yankees up because they’ll see them as desperate (and the Yanks aren’t going to give up decent prospects for a #5)
SJ, Betsy, and Brandon,
We all had the same thought in our head about moving Hughes back and forth referencing Joba’s injury last season.
I didn’t even read your posts and responded with the same concern to CB.
That’s the ONLY reason I’m hesitant about moving him back and forth given his injury history and Joba’s issue last season.
I’d probably rather see Hughes stay in the pen than risk injury and lose him altogether.
Boy, how much would that suck?
It’s a tough decision no matter how you cut it. But I believe they will decide to keep Hughes down in the pen and roll the dice on retreads like Mitre or the like.
“Ask yourself this… who do you want in 8th inning in September against the Rays/Sox Hughes or Chad Qualls or John Grabow?”
Ask yourself this… who do you want starting in September against the Rays/ Sox Hughes or Sergio Mitre?
______
Don’t worry Mitre wont sniff the playoffs
“Personally I think unless Wang is out for the year you leave Hughes in the pen.”
But that’s the whole point. There is no way that the yankees can truly be certain how much time Wang will miss.
Perhaps if Wang were in top form they could say a month.
But he’s not even close to top form – he still doesn’t even have his usual arm strength or leg strength.
So whatever this strain is it’s likely going to take more of a toll on him than it would for a pitcher in better shape than Wang.
No one is missing the all star break. That’s not the issue. The issue is how you decide to manage your risk.
And I think the risk of not having even a semi-effective Wang for longer than on month is higher than the risk of disrupting the pen.
It’s a trade off.
But IMO there’s no way anyone can say with significant confidence that Wang will be major league ready in a month.
There’s a very high chance that it won’t be 3-4 starts. That’s the point.
It’s how the team chooses to deal with uncertainty. And minimizing uncertainty and risk in the rotation has a higher pay off than it does with minimizing risk in the pen because Hughes as a starting pitcher will throw far more innings than Hughes as a reliever.
Can we wait and see how many starts CMW will miss before we make our bullpen weaker and potentially harm a 22 year old pitchers arm?
Thanks, CB. Montero is a very exciting prospect indeed.
There’s a very high chance that it won’t be 3-4 starts. That’s the point.
________
You know this how?
miggs July 5th, 2009 at 11:35 am
You guys are all missing a major issue here when discussing the Wang injury.
The Yankees caught a huge break here with the ASG coming up. With the way the schedule works going forward the yankees will need a 5th starter exactly ONCE between now and July 21st.
That’s the equivalent of 3 times through the rotation. Why is this significant? Not only does it give them plenty of time to decide who to slide into the rotation, but by the time the break is over Wang will be starting to rehab the shoulder and the team will have a MUCH better sense of how long he’s going to be out.
—————–
But I think you’re missing a very big point as well.
Many of us think that Wang will be out significantly longer than a month. This issue is a no-brainer if Wang is out for just a month. But not so much if he’s out for two months or longer.
At this point, there’s no guarantee Wang will be back at all. We’ve seen many injuries downplayed by this organization that turn out to be much much longer than they anticipated.
Hughes happened to be one of them last year.
GF, it’s odd because Wang’s injury was not as bad as feared……but for purposes of what the Yankees options are, it’s not good because there is such a gray area. I would never want Wang gone for the season, but I admit that even if he comes back, he’s highly doubtful to be at his best…..and would I want him in a post-season rotation? If Phil is already in the rotation (and doing well), I think he has to stay there even if Wang does come back (and if Phil is in the rotation, it means that we’re likely talking a late August/September return for Wang – not fair to take Phil out, even forgetting the potential arm issues). Once Phil is in the rotation, he has to stay there – Wang, I’m sorry to say, would be in the pen. I don’t even know what the Yanks would do in the playoffs if they made it – how can Phil go back to the pen without ruining his arm? This really sucks.
“Don’t worry Mitre wont sniff the playoffs”
Playoffs? The regular season doesn’t end until Oct 4 this year.
The yankees have a very tough end of the year schedule.
In september they play 6 games with Toronto, 3 with the Sox, 4 games with the Angels. They also have a 6 game west coast swing to Seattle and LA. They play 3 games with Tampa Bay in Sept and then close the season with 3 games at tamps bay.
That is a brutal stretch run schedule. And they are going to need outstanding starting pitching if they are going to do well to end the season.
They aren’t going to be able to toy with the rotation. If Mitre is in the rotation he is going to pitch big games down the stretch. There is no question about it. None.
But I think you’re missing a very big point as well.
Many of us think that Wang will be out significantly longer than a month. This issue is a no-brainer if Wang is out for just a month. But not so much if he’s out for two months or longer.
At this point, there’s no guarantee Wang will be back at all. We’ve seen many injuries downplayed by this organization that turn out to be much much longer than they anticipated.
Hughes happened to be one of them last year.
________
And how do you know this?
The fact is you don’t!
So the only thing you can do is wait and see.
You can only “wait and see” how much time Wang would miss if either Hughes or Aceves didn’t need to be stretched out.
But the fact is – they have to be stretched out and that process will take weeks.
So the team doesn’t have the luxury of a wait and see attitude.
You can take either side of the argument. It’s a difficult issue.
But there is no way to say that they can just wait and see how much time Wang will miss unless they are happy giving the ball to Mitre, etc. because Hughes and Wang need to be stretched out.
No one is going to have perfect or definitive information is this situation. It’s how you chose to handle uncertainty and where you want to allocate risk.
That’s the trade off.
The Yankees don’t face the Rays until later in the month and Boston during the 1st week in August. The question of a 5th starter is NOW ….. this week.
Leave Hughes in the bullpen and see what Mitre, Nova, or McAllister can bring to the table. One of them just might surprise and provide some glue until something is determined with Wang. Nothing ventured – nothing gained.
As usual, Cashman will be stealth about the entire matter.
Mark-Cant Touch This July 5th, 2009 at 11:54 am
________
And how do you know this?
The fact is you don’t!
So the only thing you can do is wait and see.
—————–
When was the last time a Yankee player only missed the expected time off after going down with an injury?
Bruney took much, much longer than expected. Marte is still out. Molina missed significantly more time than expected.
I could go on and on.
The team obviously isn’t going to rush him back. He wasn’t in top physical condition even before this shoulder issue.
I don’t expect Wang back in a month. I can’t prove he won’t be back but recent history is not on his side.
“Don’t worry Mitre wont sniff the playoffs”
Playoffs? The regular season doesn’t end until Oct 4 this year.
The yankees have a very tough end of the year schedule.
In september they play 6 games with Toronto, 3 with the Sox, 4 games with the Angels. They also have a 6 game west coast swing to Seattle and LA. They play 3 games with Tampa Bay in Sept and then close the season with 3 games at tamps bay.
That is a brutal stretch run schedule. And they are going to need outstanding starting pitching if they are going to do well to end the season.
They aren’t going to be able to toy with the rotation. If Mitre is in the rotation he is going to pitch big games down the stretch. There is no question about it. None.
_______
And again you have no idea how much time Wang is going to be on the DL. So over reacting now is completely useless. Why not wait and see I think we can handle 3-4 starts from a serviceable 5th stater. Maybe Wang misses 3-4 starts maybe 8-10. I don’t know, you don’t know so stop overacting. Don’t worry the Sox, and the Rays wont go 81-0.
IMO, assuming Wang is going to be out more than 30 days and/or comes back less than 100% (and I think both assumptions are reasonable), Cashman has a very tough choice to make by the deadline knowing he cannot afford to lose ground in this division this year. The Sox don’t give any indication of going into an old fashioned Red Sox swoon and the Rays are playing better. Toronto is beginning to look less formidable right now because Roy is not yet 100%, but with Gaston you still can’t ignore them.
While I would certainly want Hughes pitching in September/post-season over the other names, can Phil ramp up to a reliable 4 or 5 starter before the end of August? In the meantime, you lose your newly found lockdown 8th inning guy. And there is a real danger of losing significant ground in the standings by losing games where three starters (Hughes, Joba and Pettitte) all need lots of bullpen help.
Also, is the risk of conversion stress to Hughes’ arm worth what he’s likely to give as a re-made starter? Factor in the possibility of losing ground in the meantime and, respectfully, I don’t think so. I think you leave Hughes where he is and fill in another starter. IMO, Cash’s real job is to find an innings eater somewhere. I don’t think they need a dominator.
IMO, if you look at it this way, the pressure is really on AJ now. He has to be the reliable, dominating “two” in a one-two punch with CC. Is he up to it?
Mark-Cant Touch This July 5th, 2009 at 11:54 am
________
And how do you know this?
The fact is you don’t!
So the only thing you can do is wait and see.
—————–
When was the last time a Yankee player only missed the expected time off after going down with an injury?
Bruney took much, much longer than expected. Marte is still out. Molina missed significantly more time than expected.
I could go on and on.
The team obviously isn’t going to rush him back. He wasn’t in top physical condition even before this shoulder issue.
I don’t expect Wang back in a month. I can’t prove he won’t be back but recent history is not on his side.
______
A-Rod came back sooner
Posada came back at the expected time
Mark-Cant Touch This July 5th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
______
A-Rod came back sooner
Posada came back at the expected time
—————
And the one thing they both have in common is neither are pitchers.
That’s a much more delicate issue and we already know A-Rod returned to the lineup before his doctor wanted.
That’s why A-Rod was supposed to stick to the Philipon Rules but Girardi didn’t.