Return of the Wanger?

Chien-Ming Wang quickly became one of my favorite Yankees after his recall from the minors in 2005. His 8-5, 4.02 performance helped the Yankees win the AL East over Boston in a race that went down to the wire. Back-to-back 19 win seasons followed, but then so did injuries and the unemployment line beckoned this winter.

Chad Jennings of the LoHud Journal reported that Wang is worked out for the Yankees' scouts Wednesday morning in a move that could lead Wang back to the pinstripes. Interest grew after Wang was scouted over the last month and pitched Chinese Taipei (6 shutout innings) to a victory over Australia in the World Baseball Classic.

Wang's woes began in 2008 when he tore the Lisfranc ligament in his right foot and missed the final 3 1/2 months of the season. He was 8-2, 4.08 at the time of the injury, which was especially aggravating  since it occurred during interleague play while Wang ran the bases. It's no secret that the loss of Wang contributed to the Yankees missing out on the playoffs for the first time in 12 years.

Something was wrong from the get-go when Wang returned in 2009. His hard biting sinker was missing its sting and he was hammered by the Yankees' opponents. Wang would finish 1-6, 9.64 in 12 games (9 starts), but none of that mattered compared to the pain in Wang's right shoulder. Initially diagnosed as a strain, Wang underwent surgery in July, 2009 for a torn capsule in the shoulder.

Elbow surgery was once thought of as career ending, but the advent of Tommy John surgery turned that prognosis upside down. Shoulder surgeries are another matter though - ask Michael Pineda how worried he is about the future of his career. Wang missed the entire 2010 season, but signed with the Washington Nationals prior to the following season.

The "Wanger" returned to the Majors on July 29, 2011, exactly two years to the day after his surgery. The Mets knocked him around in four innings, but Wang's shoulder passed the test. He finished 4-3, 4.04 in 11 starts and had the second best WHIP (1.283) of his career.

Wang's 2012 season didn't go too smoothly; a bad hamstring and strained hip limited him to five starts and five relief appearances, and no new contract this winter. The Wanger is hoping that changes shortly, maybe in a return to the pinstripes.

Wanger Looking to Bounce Back Big

If it were up to Chien-Ming Wang, he would probably never run the bases again. The last time he did, June 15 of 2008, he suffered a season ended Lisfranc injury. At the time, he was well on his way to another winning season. But that's all behind him now.

"I felt very bad," Wang said of last season. "I wanted the rehab to go quicker and get back on the field."

Mark Feinsand of the Daily News reports that The Wanger hired a personal trainer in the off-season to get his foot and body in the best shape possible. Wang is feeling good, but the team is taking it easy on him in the early Spring Training drills.

"I'm not thinking about it," Wang said of the injury. "Everything is normal now."

Wang, who recorded back to back 19 win seasons in 2006 and 2007, is a key to the Yankees success. His manager, and a former opponent, now teammate, were quick to recognize that fact.

"His return is vital to our staff," (Joe) Girardi said. "We missed him a lot last year. We missed his innings, we missed his leadership on the mound, what he brought to the table."

What he brings to the table is a workhorse who won 19 games in both 2006 and '07, establishing himself as one of the most reliable pitchers in baseball. Wang was 8-2 with a 4.07 ERA in his abbreviated 2009.

"When you see Wang healthy, you automatically envision 18 or 19 wins," Burnett said. "He's established himself as that kind of horse. He probably likes the fact that me and CC are here, because he can just hang back in his locker every day and get his work done."

"When we missed him late in the season, I don't think anybody in our lineup had an issue with it," said catcher Kevin Cash, a non-roster invitee who spent last season with the Red Sox. "It was a benefit for us to know we weren't going to have to face him. It was the same as us losing (Josh) Beckett."

We're glad our boy is back!

photo courtesy of REUTERS/Steve Nesius (UNITED STATES)

Wang Returns to the Hill

Good news Yankees fans. Chien-Ming Wang threw off a mound for the first time since breaking a Lisfranc ligament and tendon in his right foot last season. Wang threw 27 pitches and was pronounced, "Good to go", by Yankees' pitching coach Dave Eiland.

Hopefully Wang doesn't get on base this year!
Jorge Posada also continues his rehab and is up to 140 throws in his workouts. He's not expected to catch a Spring Training game until March 8, but expects to be ready for the season opener.



Source: Yahoo Sports