Post from: River Ave. Blues A New York Yankees blog

Joba continues rehab program, throwing off half-mound

• “He had recovered we felt fully from his [knee] surgery,” said Cashman, who confirmed that Alex also had the procedure on his left shoulder. “I think this is more about maintaining health going forward.” The GM said A-Rod has already resumed physical activity, and for some reason he’s working out in Boise of all places (h/t Don W). The procedure was apparently taped to ensure there was no funny business. (Mark Hale, Marc Carig, Will Carroll)
• “Nothing to report,” said Cashman about Andruw Jones, “other than I’m still talking to him.” A week or two ago we found out that the two sides hadn’t made much progress towards a new deal (Hale)
• One way or the other, the Hiroyuki Nakajima situation will be wrapped up by next week. The two sides have 30 days to hammer out a contract after the Yankees won the infielder’s negotiating rights in early-December, and that window closes either Friday or Saturday of next week. It sounds like Cashman is waiting to see what happens with Nakajima before pursuing a new deal with Eric Chavez. (Bryan Hoch)

Post from: River Ave. Blues A New York Yankees blog

Cashman Notes: A-Rod, Andruw, Nakajima

While the Post termed Orkine experimental, it’s something that’s really been around for a while. It’s a platelet-rich plasma therapy, something we’ve seen other athletes undergo in the recent past. Takashi Saito made headlines in 2008 when he had the procedure in lieu of Tommy John surgery. Yankees fans will remember when Xavier Nady tried it in 2009, only to eventually require TJS. Several athletes have used platelet-rich plasma for knee and ankle injuries. Notables include Troy Polamalu, Tiger Woods, and Kobe Bryant. Rodriguez actually underwent the procedure on the advice of Bryant — whom is reportedly “looks pretty damn spry,” according to at least one NBA fan.

The Post got an excellent quote from Dr. Jonathan Glashow, who is the co-chief of sports medicine at Mout Sinai Hospital.

A lot of athletes I’ve talked to really think this stuff works, but we really don’t have a lot of scientific knowledge behind it of exactly what’s happening. It’s a great way to reduce inflammation and therefore pain, and that’s the essence of it. I think a lot of the athletes who have wear-and-tear on their knees benefit from this. You do it for a while and if it doesn’t stay good you do it again in a few years.

Even more encouragingly, it doesn’t appear that A-Rod will spend much time on the sidelines following the procedure. He underwent it within the last month, and recovery time isn’t very long. Bryant played in a game mere weeks after the procedure. Rodriguez still has a month and a half before he even reports to spring training. That should give him time to get in condition for the season.

Lest anyone think this is repeat of the Gallea or even the Bartolo Colon situation, Alex did get the Yankees’ blessing before getting the plasma injection. The Yankees also cleared it with the commissioner’s office, so there will be no surprise investigations popping up.

Post from: River Ave. Blues A New York Yankees blog

A-Rod undergoes experimental knee procedure

Post from: River Ave. Blues A New York Yankees blog

Joba Update: Two weeks of rest following bullpens

• David Adams is still rehabbing from that brutal ankle injury he suffered in May 2010, and he’s scheduled to arrive in Tampa for early Spring Training work next month. The Yankees added Adams to the 40-man roster last month, protecting him from the Rule 5 Draft.
  
• Slade Heathcott figures to be behind other position players in Spring Training as he rehabs from his second left shoulder surgery in as many years. It’s his third left shoulder injury since 2009, his senior year of high school, and they’ve limited him to just 132 games over the last 2+ seasons. They’re a very real problem.
• J.R. Murphy is 100% ready to go after missing the end of last season due to a foot/ankle injury suffered when he apparently fouled a pitch off himself. Newman says he will “predominantly” catch in 2012, as he should given the significant improvement in his defense.
• Remember Jeremy Bleich? The Yankees highest signed pick from the 2008 draft hasn’t pitched since May 2010 due to major shoulder surgery, and Newman says he’s still rehabbing.

Post from: River Ave. Blues A New York Yankees blog

Prospect Injury News: Adams, Slade, Murphy

Nov. 22nd: … on his vocal cords. George King reports that Rivera will meet with a doctor on Monday to determine if baseball’s all-time best reliever needs to have his vocal cords scraped. “It’s been a month,” said Mo earlier today. “Every time I talk it gets worse and worse.”

Based on what I’ve been able to find on the interwebs, the recovery time for such a procedure is six weeks followed by an unknown amount of speech therapy. “When you are taking about surgery nothing is simple,” said Rivera, who’s absolutely right. Hopefully the doctors find a non-invasive treatment and Mo can enjoy the rest of his offseason.

Post from: River Ave. Blues A New York Yankees blog

Update: Mariano Rivera will have surgery …

Post from: River Ave. Blues A New York Yankees blog

Joba’s rehab right on schedule

Post from: River Ave. Blues A New York Yankees blog

Joba Update: Throws from 60-feet start Monday

If you want to freak out, remember that Joba Chamberlain was diagnosed with a strained flexor before needing Tommy John surgery.

Post from: River Ave. Blues A New York Yankees blog

Nova has Grade I flexor strain in right forearm

If you want to talk about the game or how awful the Yankees are, do it here. This thread is about Nova and his forearm. Thanks.

Post from: River Ave. Blues A New York Yankees blog

Nova to have MRI on tight forearm