02/26: Yankees Hurting Already?
Posted by: James
Spring training hasn't even really gotten rolling yet and we've already got reports of Yankee injuries. Carl Pavano still hasn't thrown off of a mound yet as a "minor back problem" has caused a delay of 2 weeks. He's been throwing off flat ground but Pavano is and will be well behind the rest of the pitchers. Mr. Torre isn't holding out hope for a miracle either.
Carl Pavano just can't catch a break, I guess. I personally hope that the guy can come back and have a successful season for the Yankees this year for two reasons. First, he is a pivotal part in the Yankees pitching rotation and if he pitches to his ability, he can be a solid #3 starter. Second, if the Yankees decide to trade him at some point, it's a lot easier to trade a winning, solid pitcher than a broken-down one.
Other pitching points of note were Tanyon Sturtze having his second bullpen session, which apparently went much better than the first. I feel torn with Sturtze. He seems like a good guy and so I want him to get better (though I never would have picked up his option). However, once he is back to 100%, Torre will continue to use him (since he's one of his "guys") at the expense of the other, more viable options available to him. Of course, even if Tanyon was to remain injured, I'm sure that a way would be found to keep Colter Bean out of the Yankee pen yet again (probably first through the use of Al Leiter and then through the use of Scott Proctor).
Also, Octavio Dotel's rehab seems to be progressing very nicely and the Yankees think he will be ready by June, though Dotel himself has his sights set on an May return.
On the offensive side, Mr. Sign-Me-Right-NOW, Gary Sheffield has been having back spasms that have caused him to have to skip a couple of workouts. Nothing earth-shattering here. Maybe a little karma for Sheffield's "contract issues". See Gary, this is why management doesn't automatically pick up the options on older players at the beginning on seasons.
"I'm not banking on him for Opening Day," said Torre, who stressed that Pavano has not had any setbacks. "The fact that we have a ton of off-days, you only need four -- and at times, only three -- to start. There's no rush to have him ready Opening Day."
"I'm progressing," Pavano said. "I'm doing everything but throwing off the mound. I think that's what puts the most pressure on the back, so that's why we'll take a little extra time to make sure that when I get out there, there's no setbacks and we can keep moving forward."
"I'm progressing," Pavano said. "I'm doing everything but throwing off the mound. I think that's what puts the most pressure on the back, so that's why we'll take a little extra time to make sure that when I get out there, there's no setbacks and we can keep moving forward."
Carl Pavano just can't catch a break, I guess. I personally hope that the guy can come back and have a successful season for the Yankees this year for two reasons. First, he is a pivotal part in the Yankees pitching rotation and if he pitches to his ability, he can be a solid #3 starter. Second, if the Yankees decide to trade him at some point, it's a lot easier to trade a winning, solid pitcher than a broken-down one.
Other pitching points of note were Tanyon Sturtze having his second bullpen session, which apparently went much better than the first. I feel torn with Sturtze. He seems like a good guy and so I want him to get better (though I never would have picked up his option). However, once he is back to 100%, Torre will continue to use him (since he's one of his "guys") at the expense of the other, more viable options available to him. Of course, even if Tanyon was to remain injured, I'm sure that a way would be found to keep Colter Bean out of the Yankee pen yet again (probably first through the use of Al Leiter and then through the use of Scott Proctor).
Also, Octavio Dotel's rehab seems to be progressing very nicely and the Yankees think he will be ready by June, though Dotel himself has his sights set on an May return.
On the offensive side, Mr. Sign-Me-Right-NOW, Gary Sheffield has been having back spasms that have caused him to have to skip a couple of workouts. Nothing earth-shattering here. Maybe a little karma for Sheffield's "contract issues". See Gary, this is why management doesn't automatically pick up the options on older players at the beginning on seasons.
Jason O. wrote: