A-Rod's Clearance Not So Clear

Alex Rodriguez has been cleared to start rehab games next week. No, no he hasn't. That was the day in the life of Alex Rodriguez Monday. Or a day in the life of following the course of A-Rod's rehab.

Reports circuled that the lightning rod would start getting into rehab games after he was cleared by doctors. Only one little problem. Brian Cashman said the team doctors have not cleared him.

Maybe it was just A-Rod's dentist.

Meanwhile fans keep calling into radio stations with ridiculous trade ideas. Justin Morneau - 3 home runs this year. Chase Headley, who had a career, breakout year last season - .681 OPS this year.

Pineda To Miss 2012..WHAT???

While I was out chasing that little white ball around this afternoon, the Yankees were informing the press that Micheal Pineda will miss the entire 2012 season due to a torn labrum.

I remember the day I heard of the trade that sent Jesus Montero and Hector Noesi to Seattle for Pineda and a prospect. I was sad to see Montero go, but ecstatic to get a young stud pitcher like Pineda. Now I sit here wondering if Pineda has a future.

According to mlb.com's Bryan Hoch, Pineda will undergo arthroscopic surgery on Tuesday to repair the anterior labral tear. The operation will be performed by Dr. David Altchek (with assistance from Yankees' team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad) at the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC.

Now the first thing you are thinking is, "Did Seattle send damaged goods?" Brian Cashman emphatically told the press "No" when queried on the subject.

"We had the opportunity to do a full physical exam, which we did, which came out clean. Michael has never had a shoulder issue nor has he complained of one with the Mariners, nor has he ever had any tests on the shoulder with the Mariners. This is just an unfortunate circumstance that can happen. It happened."

Cashman also reported on Pineda's current mental state:

"He's down. I can tell you that obviously he's someone with a bright future that has a lot of things going through his mind about what his future is going to be. He'll get the best medical care possible." 

Pineda raised eyebrows when he reported to Spring Training overweight and lacked velocity on his fastball. Normally lighting up the radar gun in the mid-90's and occassionally higher, Pineda's not-so-fast fastball was clocked at 90-91 mph and didn't improve as camp went on.

It wasn't until he was forced to leave a game against the Phillies on March 30, that the Yankees learned Pineda had been troubled by a sore shoulder for weeks. Afraid of losing out on a spot in the rotation, Pineda kept his mouth shut and tried to pitch past the pain, which was originally evaluated as tendinitis. When Pineda had a bullpen session shut down due to pain this past weekend, the Yankees sent him for an MRI with contrast and that's when the tear was discovered.

The Yankees are optomistic that Pineda will make a full recovery and be back on the mound in a year's time. (Based on what we know from Michael's MRI scan, there is a discrete tear," Ahmad said. "We do feel that tear can be repaired arthroscopically. Based on that, we're optimistic that we can get him recovered."). In the meantime, the Yankees will count on Andy Pettitte's comeback to fill the hole left by Pineda and the ineffective performance, thus far, by Freddy Garcia.

Breaking News: Sheets May Need Surgery

An MLB.com Hot Stove report indicates that the Texas Rangers rescinded a 2 year contract offer to Ben Sheets, after tests on his right elbow showed a torn flexor tendon. The Rangers felt surgery may be needed to repair the problem and quickly pulled out of negotiations with Sheets.

Sheets had been offered arbitration by the Brewers, but rejected it in hopes of gaining a big free agent contract. As it turns out, the Brewers may still have to pony up for the cost of Sheets' possible surgery. Brewers assistant GM Gord Ash said the team has been talking with the MLB front office to determine who would have to pay for the procedure.

Ventura Gets a New Wheel

Former Yankees 3rd Baseman Robin Ventura has never been the same since devastatingly breaking his ankle as a member of the White Sox back in 1997. That spring training injury had lead to a permanent limp and a decrease in running speed and mobility. But that is a thing of the past.

Ventura underwent transplant surgery this past November after his ankle debilitated to the point where he could not walk without a cane and he was in constant pain. In addition to the injury itself, the ankle was weakened by the number of cortisone shots Ventura had taken over the years in order to play.

Dr. William Bugbee gave Ventura the choice of either having the ankle fused and be very limited for the remainder of his life, or undergo the surgery the doctor had performed over 250 times. The choice was an easy one for Ventura, who knew that if the surgery didn't work he could still have the ankle fused. The reverse order was not an available option.

Like any other transplant, a matching donor was needed. Once the surgery was performed, Ventura knew he faced a 6 month rehab. The transplant involved an incision from the lower shin to the top of the foot and required removal of a portion of the existing ankle bone as well as some cartilage. Bone from a cadaver was then shaped to the exact size needed, inserted into place, and fastened to the bones using four screws.

"When they first told me about what they'd be doing and showed me a picture. ... yeah, it was, 'Eeuuuw. I'm not sure this is what I'm looking for -- someone else's bone,'" Ventura said. "My kids don't get near my foot even now. But I don't even think about it now. I'm just happy it works."

Great news for one of the nicest guys in baseball!

Source

Ventura Gets a New Wheel

Former Yankees 3rd Baseman Robin Ventura has never been the same since devastatingly breaking his ankle as a member of the White Sox back in 1997. That spring training injury had lead to a permanent limp and a decrease in running speed and mobility. But that is a thing of the past.

Ventura underwent transplant surgery this past November after his ankle debilitated to the point where he could not walk without a cane and he was in constant pain. In addition to the injury itself, the ankle was weakened by the number of cortisone shots Ventura had taken over the years in order to play.

Dr. William Bugbee gave Ventura the choice of either having the ankle fused and be very limited for the remainder of his life, or undergo the surgery the doctor had performed over 250 times. The choice was an easy one for Ventura, who knew that if the surgery didn't work he could still have the ankle fused. The reverse order was not an available option.

Like any other transplant, a matching donor was needed. Once the surgery was performed, Ventura knew he faced a 6 month rehab. The transplant involved an incision from the lower shin to the top of the foot and required removal of a portion of the existing ankle bone as well as some cartilage. Bone from a cadaver was then shaped to the exact size needed, inserted into place, and fastened to the bones using four screws.

"When they first told me about what they'd be doing and showed me a picture. ... yeah, it was, 'Eeuuuw. I'm not sure this is what I'm looking for -- someone else's bone,'" Ventura said. "My kids don't get near my foot even now. But I don't even think about it now. I'm just happy it works."

Great news for one of the nicest guys in baseball!

Source