The last time Posada hit the DL

The news doesn’t exactly look good for Jorge Posada. He left Monday’s game with a strained calf, which came just five days after a Jeremy Guthrie fastball hit him in the knee. He hasn’t played since the incident, though there was some optimism that he could play this weekend against the Red Sox, perhaps starting as early as this evening. As we have learned so far today, that might not be the case.

In the early a.m. Mark Feinsand and other Daily News writers filed a report which included an update on Posada. Brian Cashman said that Posada “might need more time,” suggesting that he might not start tonight. The phrase was ambiguous enough to even suggest a possible DL stint. To that end, the recent AAA roster move seems to signal that something will happen this afternoon.

The Yankees offense will certainly miss Jorge’s bat. Francisco Cervelli has filled in admirably, but who knows how long that will last. The offense could suffer even more, because Curtis Granderson is already on the DL with a strained groin. Many lineups would fade quickly after losing two starters at the same time, but the Yankees have enough depth to cover these injuries for a short period. They even covered for Posada just last year.

Posada hit the DL on May 5 last year after straining his hamstring. He stayed on for 24 days, which isn’t too long. With Jose Molina also out for most of that time, Francisco Cervelli got the call. From May 7 through May 26 he started 12 games and hit .300/.317/.325. That’s not a stellar line by any means, but the team couldn’t have asked for more from an emergency catcher.

The Yankees weathered a DL stint from Posada last year, and they can probably handle another 15-day absence this year. His injury actually seems less serious than last year, so chances are he’d only miss the minimum. The Yankees can backdate the move to May 4, so Posada would be eligible to return on May 18. It would be nice if they had an off-day before that, but even without one it’s only 11 more games. He’d be back in time to catch the second of the two-game Boston series later this month.

This might all be moot, however. Joel Sherman just reported that Posada was taking batting practice with the team. Maybe he won’t hit the DL after all.