Postgame notes: Robertson hoping for short DL stint
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Notes on May 15, 2012 
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We’ll get to the game in just a bit, for now there’s a little more information on Dave Robertson…
After taking a train to and from New York earlier today, Robertson was back in the Yankees clubhouse tonight. His socks were pulled high as if he were going to pitch.
“It’s really disappointing,” he said. “Because it was something I was hoping would just be a real quick recovery, and in two or three days, hopefully I’d be back. It just hasn’t gone away. I went and got it checked out today, and it turns out there’s a reason why it’s not going away.”
A strained left oblique has landed Robertson on the disabled list for the first time in his career. He called it “weird,” but he said the doctors have told him it’s realistic to think he could be back as soon as the 15 days are up. He won’t pick up a ball for six or seven days, but the strain was caught pretty early, before Robertson did significant damage.
“They said it’s very mild,” Robertson said. “But it’s one of those things where if I kept pitching on it, it’s likely to get worse. If it gets worse, I could be out for six to eight weeks or something like that. That’s the last thing I want to do.”
Robertson said he’ll be able to do some workouts this week — he’ll try to keep his shoulder strong — but he won’t throw and won’t do his full workout routine. He has to give it time to heal. As for rust from what should be roughly two weeks away from the game:
“I don’t think it should be that big of a deal,” Robertson said. “I’ve had to sit before in September at times just from soreness and pitching a lot, and I’ve been able to bounce back from that fairly quickly. … I’m not sure of what the date is that I’m allowed to be placed on the DL retroactively, but I’m hoping to be back as soon as that day is up.”
As for the game…
• CC Sabathia wasn’t sharp today. His sinker wasn’t sharp and his command was off. He limited the damage, but 12 base runners — eight hits and four walks in six innings — were too much. “The two-seamer was a little off,” Sabathia said. “I feel like I had a good one early but it kind of went away from me. The fastball command and the four walks killed me. … Normally, in the last couple of starts, I’ve been making pitches when I need to. Like I said, the four walks, and fastball command wasn’t there.”
• Sabathia wasn’t particularly good, but holding the Orioles to four runs was enough to keep the Yankees in it. Problem was, the offense went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and hit into three double plays. “Sometimes you hope that you can shut the other team down,” Joe Girardi said. “Or sometimes you get some gifts, and we just didn’t take advantage of opportunities tonight.”
• The Yankees won Wei-Yin Chen’s major-league debut earlier this season — Chen took a no-decision — but the Orioles have won each of his starts since. Tonight he didn’t allow an extra-base hit until the seventh, and Curtis Granderson’s two-run homer later that inning accounted for the only Yankees runs. “It’s not like he’s throwing changeups like Moyer, you know what I’m saying?” Derek Jeter said. “He gets it up there 91, 92. He hits his spots. He knows how to pitch. It’s a little unfair to say he’s not overpowering because he mixes in his offspeed stuff and his fastball gets up there pretty good. He knows what he’s doing.”
• The Yankees best chance for a late rally came when they drew back-to-back walks to start the eighth, but Granderson grounded into a fielder’s choice and Robinson Cano hit one back to the mound to start an inning-ending double play.
• Granderson’s 13th homer of the season got just over the wall in left field where Xavier Avery seemed to think he would have made the catch if not for fans sitting in the front row. “It looked like it was over the fence from my view point,” Girardi said. “I thought they might review it. I thought Buck might go out – I probably would have – but from where I was it looked like it was over the fence and a fan caught it. I’m not sure the kid couldn’t have caught it, but if it’s over the fence it doesn’t matter.”
• The other disputed play came in the bottom of the eighth when Chris Stewart seemed to throw out Adam Jones stealing second. Jeter argued, which rarely happens unless Jeter’s positive he’s right. “From where I was, I thought he was clearly out,” Girardi said.
• The call led to a run because Chris Stewart allowed his second passed ball of the night later in the inning. “The first one didn’t do what I thought it was going to do,” Stewart said. “Just spun out there, and I gave it a little more credit than I should have, and it just tipped off my glove. The second one, I just botched it. … That’s inexcusable. I just thought I had more glove than I did. The ball tipped off, and went to the backstop. That just can’t happen.”
• Freddy Garcia struck out three and allowed one hit through two innings of work. He’s actually pitched pretty well since moving into the bullpen.
• For whatever it’s worth, Ivan Nova seemed to be moving around much better in the clubhouse after the game.
• Of course, Sabathia took the blame for tonight’s loss. “If we don’t score runs, it’s time to pick them up,” he said. “If we score runs, give up less than we score. So, I wasn’t able to do that tonight.”
• Hard not to notice, though, that the Yankees seem to have an all-or-nothing offense, and tonight was one of the nothing nights. “It’s consistent at-bats,” Girardi said. “There’s good pitching in our division. There’s no doubt it about, there’s a lot of good pitching in the American League and you’re going to see it day in and day out and you’ve got to sometimes find ways to score runs.”
Associated Press photos
One man saw this day crystal clear 2 years ago. Randy Levine – the greatest baseball mind who ever lived.
Lawrie certainly went a bit overboard. But that 3-1 pitch was one of the worst strike calls in recent memory. And the 3-2 was not a strike either. I would have lost it also.
Eh, the 3-1 was a ball but nothing egregious. You see those types of balls called strikes a lot. The 3-2 was terrible. Either way you can’t spike your helmet off the ump.
Well you can, but you will be suspended. Unfortunately, I am sure he appeals and will play in both games against New York this week.
• Hard not to notice, though, that the Yankees seem to have an all-or-nothing offense
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This…..One dimensional batting approach. Best line of the post Chad.
luis,
We’ve been noticing for a while now. 2011 ALDS nightmares.
They’re a “homerun hittin’ team”.
UnKnown, I don’t agree, I think the 3-1 pitch was way worse. Doesn’t matter though- you are right, he will be suspended, and it could be lengthy.
Also agree with luis, well said by Chad about the Yankee offense.
Betances today – 3.2 IP, 5 H, 6 BB, 7 K
This guy is a lost cause. Another guy they didn’t sell high like Nova, Romine, and Nunez
Looks like Cano is going on the DL, too……he managed to stick his head up his ……..
“We’ve been noticing for a while now. 2011 ALDS nightmares.”
Plus, it makes for a boring team. I surf more during games than I can recall doing in years.
He’s not a lost cause. You don’t evaluate young pitching on a start-by-start basis. He’s been a project from the start and the experiment is far from over.
He threw some nasty changeups today, hit 99 on the gun, and wasn’t wild from start to finish, but things spiraled out of control after the 3-run homer. Wasn’t efficient, though, throwing 45 pitches over the first two innings. Needs to get back to what he was doing in his last start.
If selling high on Nova is the goal, there will probably be a time this season when the opportunity will present itself.
Rich, I’m envious of teams getting a lift from young players. Even Boston has now thrown Middlebrooks into their lineup. Baltimore and KC have some live, young bats. Raul Ibanez would be a nice complementary veteran, pro hitter type on teams like the Orioles and KC. But having him as the DH, replacing what would have otherwise been 22-year old Montero, is just uninspiring. It’ll help as the games become scarcer and the pennant chase becomes more polarized, but the same issues will likely dog them in the postseason as last, because it was not addressed or even acknowledged, it seems.
Goodnight, night people.
JAP
I heard Mike F. in the car this afternoon talking about how Middlebrooks has hit well for the RS, and I was thinking, why isn’t he saying that he should be traded for a “pitcha”?
I agree. This team will be good to very good depending on health, but my favorite thing in baseball is watching young offensive players, whether they are homegrown or gotten in a trade.
So I get that they didn’t want Montero, ok I accept that, but then trade him for another young offensive player.
GN. I’m out too.
2 RBI double for the Melkman!
I heard Mike F. in the car this afternoon talking about how Middlebrooks has hit well for the RS, and I was thinking, why isn’t he saying that he should be traded for a “pitcha”?
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LOL.
# yankeefeminista May 16th, 2012 at 12:46 am
2 RBI double for the Melkman!
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Saw it!
. Nice right-handed stroke the other way, down the line.
Leche is safe!
DePaula article just came up on PP. About a month until we get to see him pitch live.
Melky safe at home. Timmy tied.
Saw Depaula was featured but was too tired to read it. Good news, though. Did you see Dellin today? Not as excruciating as second LHV outing, but obviously not too good.
Well, I’m really out now. GN.
The Yankees for me have always been about historical tradition, between the lines excellence and that intangible something. George had it, Hal certainly doesn’t. Torre had it, Girardi sure doesn’t. This is a good team, but it’s neither a great team or an inspiring one. After Jeter and Mo are gone, what then?
I was working so missed both first half of Yanks game and Dellin live. I’ll watch the archive. But I heard that he lost it after the homerun and couldn’t locate. I expect a better outing next time. It is still early, but he needs to get back to repeating. At least he is touching 99…
DJ tomorrow at 10:30AM. J-Ram: 6 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K. Hoping he follows Mikey O’Brien to Trenton, maybe once Brett Marshall gets called up. ‘Night.
“Plus, it makes for a boring team. I surf more during games than I can recall doing in years.”
Same here. This is a good team… but they just lack something. They just are a bore to watch and are not inspiring or compelling.
Maybe it’s the afterglow of the Giants SB along with the Rangers being the playoffs and the Knicks still being in the mix until a week ago… but I can’t remember a more boring Yankees team. It was like 09 was the pinnacle and now this is the decaying glory we’re witnessing.
There is a reason why Montero the minors, and the budget are the primary topics here – there is nothing else with the current team compelling enough to discuss.
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I hate hat tipping to opposing pitchers….but Chen was pretty good yesteeday…….Ive been impressed with him in general to be honest…….makes you wonder where the talk about him was this winter and why werent the Yanks involved?
Echo echo echo echo
Hi, blake. Everybody sleeping in?
Blake,
Some board members did recommend Chen last winter. The Yankees seem to be very cautious in such things. He looked pretty good to me as well. Another money only player who they chose not to spend on.
Tom and Blake-
No I’m awake. Must be the roosters in the South that has us southerners awake.
Tom,
Maybe
Mac,
He looks pretty good to me….looks sustainable …so is this coincidence that they are playing well…..or is Dan Duquette doing a great job?
Duquette traded for Hamel and signed Chen…..and both have neen really good…..Duquette got a bad reputation but he built the foundation for Boston not sucking long before wonder boy Theo ever got there.
Chen was a solid Taiwanese pitcher ,pitching in Japan the last few years. He located his fastball well, especially pitching inside and unlike what Jeter said, that his CU was not on the caliber of a Jamie Moyer, his CU had the Yankees 3-4-5 hitters swinging right thru the pitch.
This is a better Oriole team than many give them credit for. Is it me or do the players on opposing teams that have not faced the Yankees, like Avery and Tolleson last night, the 8 and 9 batters, just perform well? Do our pitchers not get info on them?
This should lure some people out.
Do the Yankees consider moving Betances to the pen soon with their injury issues and with him still struggling in the rotation? Maybe he could keep his delivery intact in shorter spans……I watched yesterday…..he just cant repeat….stuff is great….but hes been in the organization for like 7 years now……how long do you wait for him?……youd love to forever becajse the upside IS high….but when big league needs start to arise and he continjes to show little progress…..i think you have to start considering it….
Didn’t see the game last night, but it sounds like Chen pretty much disarmed the Yankees. As for Duquette, so far so good for the O’s. Maybe an old rivalry will be reborn this decade.
I think Wada was the pitcher the board has interest in?
LHP Tsuyoshi Wada had seasonending ligament transplant surgery on his left elbow. The Orioles aren’t likely to rely on Wada to contribute in 2013.
Its hilarious how much better the east is than the other divisions
Tom-
Chen was good but the offense had their chances and failed to produce.
A-Rod walked, stole 2nd and Tex hit a weak grounder to SS failing to move him to 3rd. I could see A-Rod mouthing some unprintable words. Granderson hit a flyball that would have scored A-Rod had he been on 3rd.
1st and 2nd one out, Swisher hits a hard one hopper-DP. In fact the Yankees hit into 3 DP’s, a stat that has become more prevalent in the last few games.
The two runs off Granderson’s opposite field homer were fan aided.
YT,
Sounds like, in Chad’s words, “One of the fifty.”
The Orioles have a lot of arms all of a sudden. Their starters have improved and the bullpen throws very hard. One more tough team in the East.
Betances hs great stuff, but at this point his lack of control doesn’t translate to the rotation or bullpen. I often see people suggest the pen when he pitches poorly, but I don’t see him coming into a close game with his propensity to walk the world. The Yankees need he and Banuelos to succeed so they can spend on offense.
Blake-
The East has been putting players on the DL left and right.
Rays lost Jennings and Niemann
Orioles lost Wada, Reynolds and Lindstrom
Red Sox lost Youkilis and McDonald
Rays lost their closer Santos
Yankees lost too many to count, but lost their only relief pitcher who can throw harder than 94mph from the right side.
YT,
I do remember some discussion of Chen on the board. It sure wasn’t from me as I never had heard of him.
“I often see people suggest the pen when he pitches poorly, but I don’t see him coming into a close game with his propensity to walk the world. The Yankees need he and Banuelos to succeed so they can spend on offense.”
I agree on the 2nd part…..however some guys with mechanical issues can keep their delivery’s together better for one inning thsn for a whole game….plus Dellin’s stuff would likely play huge out of the pen…..if he could just focus on one inning instead of thibkjng about a whole game then sometimes that helps guys…..it might not…..but at what point should they try it?
Never fear however.
In 2009 the listless Yankees were not producing as late as June 24th. Brian Cashman “chewed out” the team after this game. Check the box score too.
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports.....PlbZHhsXWP
Blake-
Whelan should be the next one called up to the pen.
“Yankees lost too many to count, but lost their only relief pitcher who can throw harder than 94mph from the right side.”
Which is why i brought up Betances…..Ill catch heat for it when JAP wakes up
I think they should get both Mitchell and Warren up
Blake,
JAP will never forgive you, but at some point it will be tried. If he could throw strikes he would be quite a bullpen weapon. That is always his big if.
Blake-
I read an article which I posted yesterday that was written in April 2011, talking about the rise in oblique injuries that in years past were defined solely as rib cage injuries. The average stay for pitchers was 43 days on the DL from info garnered the year before. Robertson’s might be mild but I still think the Yankees are going to need to do something to bolster the bullpen either thru trade or promotion.
Joba’s foot injury looms large.
If it’s true that Aardsma was testing his TJ surgery by throwing sliders off a mound, then maybe we’ll see him earlier than expected. If only Joba hadn’t gone “trampolining.”
Hope Drabek is off his game tonight…..hes the type of guy that the Yanks will kill if he doesnt throw strikes……but if hes on he will shut them down totally.
Blake-
A few weeks ago, Hughes would have gone to the pen, but not now. I’d be OK with Betances coming up. He already had his 5-6 walk performance in pinstripes his first appearance last September.
How about Kuroda going seven strong.
The Jays are pretty aggressive as a lineup….hopefully Kuroda can use that against them
The Yankees hit Drabek for a .323 BA, but that was in very limited plate appearances. Although Tex had the only homerun, he still need to be moved down in the line-up.
http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/.....yle-drabek
On another note, the Yankees were 35-17 vs lefties last year. 7-6 this year.
When is the last time Soriano has come in to start an inning and had a clean inning?
Rivera, Robertson, Chamberlain, Aardsma, Feliciano and Cabral.
Without a doubt that’s the greatest bullpen in disabled list history.
Yankee Trader May 16th, 2012 at 8:56 am
When is the last time Soriano has come in to start an inning and had a clean inning?
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His last appearance. Chavez losing the popup was not his fault. And I think the appearance before there was just a slow roller that Jeter double clutched on.
He has a 2.57 ERA. People should stop picking on Soriano because he’s not Mo.
New Post———->
86w183-
Good one!
Drabek is a different guy than last year….if he throws strikes hes really tough.
Ahem on Ducquette. Came up through the Montreal organization. The Jim Fanning Graduate school He, Stoneman and Dombrowski – where no money and good scouting were invented.
Showalter did a major tuneup on the Yankee team and left a finished product for the parachute kid.
Lest we forget.
Tyler Austin just went deep again. His 12th, a 2 run homer to give Charleston and early 2-0 lead in he 1st. Cotham on the hill for the Riverdogs