Views from the Facade
The Yankees open a two game series with the Boston Red Sox tonight at the new Stadium (yes, I really still feel the need to say new). Joe Girardi hopes that some home cooking will help exact a measure of revenge for last week’s embarrassing 3-game Fenway Flop. With yesterday’s rain out against the Los Angeles Angels, Phil Hughes will start tonight against left-hander Jon Lester. The brief series concludes tomorrow night with Joba Chamberlain going up against Josh Beckett, who has been hammered for 15 runs in his last two starts. Both games are at 7:05 ET on YES.
When Damaso Marte returned from the WBC, he complained of pain behind his throwing shoulder. He then confessed to pitching through the pain in order to represent his country. To say Marte was awful the first month of the regular season, would be like saying a hurricane is a little drizzle. The Yankees finally placed the lefty, who signed a three year free agent deal in the off-season, on the 15-day DL with shoulder tendinitis. Anthony Claggett has been recalled from Scranton to take his place on the roster.
The Yankees also discovered that Chien-Ming Wang’s hip abductor issue was caused by a weakness in his right foot. Wang hadn’t fully recovered the strength in the foot after last season’s Lysfranc injury, and as a result, strained his hip. Physical therapy, rather than throwing, will now be Wang’s main focus.
Alex Rodriguez played third base over the weekend as he continued his rehab in Tampa. It’s possible that A-Rod could get into some Tampa Yankees games before being activated from the disabled list this week or next.
Timing is everything and it’s no shock that writer Selena Roberts’ unauthorized bio of A-Rod hits the stores today. Very convenient. One person who is not happy about it is Yankees manager Joe Girardi, who questioned the timing as well as the need for the book at all. Girardi talked to reporters prior to yesterday’s scheduled game with the Angels, and gave an unsolicited opinion of the book. Girardi felt that what one does in his or her own personal life does not need to be shared wit the public, especially when that person’s children could be exposed to harmful/hurtful information.
The biggest issues that come out in the book are, of course, non-personal. Accusations of pitch tipping while a member of the Texas Rangers, and steroid use in high school and with the Yankees are the hot items that has caused MLB to further investigate A-Rod’s statements. It’s understandable though that Girardi would lash out. He’s under tremendous pressure to win and he doesn’t need his best player or the rest of his team hurt by distractions.
Two years ago pitcher Alan Horne was near the top of the Yankees‘ prospect rankings. Then came shoulder problems that led to off-season surgery. Horne is back from extended spring training and made his season debut for the Trenton Thunder on Saturday. He struggled his way through a 3 inning, 3 run, 4 walk effort.
Right-hander George Kontos has been promoted from Trenton to Scranton after going 1-1, 2.66 in four starts. He struck out 24 batters in 20.1 innings pitched. I did a Q & A with Kontos prior to this season that you may find interesting.
Posts
It's been three months since Wang reported to Tampa at the beginning of february. Now the Yankees finally discovered that he's not fully recovered yet?
ReplyDeleteAnd I thought the richest baseball club in history always took extremely good care of players coming back from severe injuries.
Stupid me.