Michal Rozsival knows a thing or two about having a torn labrum in the hip. The Rangers’ defenseman played with the injury for the entire 2007-2008 season, then had surgery to correct it during the offseason. The procedure was done by Dr. Marc Philippon, the same guy taking care of A-Rod. “It’s one of the joints with the most pressure if the whole body on that joint so you have to be real careful with it in recovery,” Rozsival said. “The usual time is four to six months.” Rozy admits to still feeling the occasional twinge once in a while, but says it isn’t painful. Now, obviously hockey is more physical sport, but they don’t play every day. If nothing else, this is a filler post gives us an example of a New York area athlete overcoming the injury currently staring down the Yanks’ best player.
A-Fraud jersey no longer for sale
Over at MLB.com’s shop, fans have the chance to buy customized replica jerseys. As the Yankee jerseys include a name on the back — contrary to tradition, of course — there is no shortage of popular snark.
MLB, though, has taken steps to combat what they view as derogatory customized jerseys, and according to CNBC’s Darren Rovell, fans can no longer purchase A-Fraud jerseys. I tried to customize and A-Roid jersey too with no luck. However, if you want A-Steroid, act now. I’m sure MLB will ban that one once they catch wind of it too. I doubt, however, that this one will ever go out of style.
Spring Training Game Thread: A Brave New Wang
Did you know that last night’s win was the Yanks’ first win since February 26th, a span of seven games? Is it a coincidence that they won when A-Rod was away from the team? I THINK NOT!1!!!1!
Chien-Ming Wang will be making his second start of the preseason this afternoon, and the Braves will counter with young Jair Jurrjens. Wanger is scheduled to throw between 35-40 pitches, and if the sinker’s working that could mean as many as five innings. I doubt it though, three is more likely. Here’s his backup:
Damon, LF
Melky, CF
Teixeira, 1B
Matsui, DH
Nady, RF
Ransom, SS
Leone, 3B
Pena, 2B
Pilittere, C
Scheduled Pitchers: CMW, Brett Tomko, Phil Coke, Mike Dunn, Wilkins DeLaRosa
The game is on YES, first pitch is scheduled for 1:15. I look forward to hearing Michael Kay say the A-Rod injury is a blessing in disguise. Derek Jeter and Team USA will be taking on Team Canada in the WBC at 2:00; the game can be seen on ESPN if you’re interested.
Photo from the AP
CC Sabathia in action
NoMaas has a clip of CC Sabathia from last night’s game, showing the big guy striking out a helpless Ryan Raburn to start the game. I haven’t figured out a way to direct link to their post or the video (lame), so make sure you head on over and check it out before it gets buried on the main page. They’ve also got a clip of David Robertson getting a little towel work in. Check it out.
CC strong as Yanks tame Tigers
In their first night game of the exhibition season, the Yanks sent their shiny new $161M toy to the mound to get their first real look at him in action. CC Sabathia was CC Sabathia last night, albeit for only two innings instead of his usual eight or nine. Sabathia allowed two hits – one a bloop double that Shelley Duncan probably should have caught, the other a single through the hole – but surrendered an unearned run thanks to yet another Angel Berroa misplay. He struck out two and induced five groundballs, throwing 20 of his 26 pitches for strikes. It basically went as well as anyone could have hoped for, and he’ll look to improve upon tonight’s effort when he faces these same Tigers next Wednesday.
Al Aceves pitched very well in relief of CC, giving up just one hit and one walk in 2.2 innings of work, a considerable improvement over his last outing. Steven Jackson gave up a pair of runs in an inning-plus of work, while Jose Veras, Anthony Claggett and David Robertson combined to strike out six in three shut out innings to end the game. Aceves and Jackson each hit ex-Yank Gary Sheffield with a pitch. I’m sure Sheff was livid.
The offensive load was pretty well spread out, with six different players contributing an RBI in the 7-3 win. Handsome Cody Ransom doubled, as did Johnny Damon and a trio of backstops – Jorge Posada, Jose Molina and Jesus Montero. Austin Jackson chipped in a garbage time single while Nick Swisher drew yet another walk (that’s five walks in six preseason games for Swish). Ramiro Pena, manning short while Jeter’s away at the WBC, went two for two and swiped a bag, perhaps making a case for a bench spot now that A-Rod might be out for a while.
The Bombers have a quick turn around with the Atlanta Braves coming in to Steinbrenner Field for a matinee this afternoon. Chien-Ming Wang will be making his second start of the spring, and the game will be shown live on YES. See you at the game thread later.
All signs point to surgery for A-Rod
Just yesterday it looked like Alex Rodriguez would be going the rest and rehab route for his ailing hip, avoiding, at least temporarily, the worst case scenario of four-plus months on the shelf with surgery. But tonight, all of a sudden things don’t sound so promising. From PeteAbe:
Alex underwent more tests today and supposedly planned to throw and even hit in a cage out in Colorado. Then he will take a day or two to decide what to do, in consultation with the Yankees.
The sense I get from talking to people both in Tampa and elsewhere is that Alex will be having the surgery and it would be as soon as Monday. The Yankees are fearful of his trying to play and then having to come out of the lineup.
The most damning quote came from Joe Girardi, who, when asked if surgery was a possibility, said “That’s a determination Alex and the doctors have to make. The organization will continue to discuss it with both parties. But yeah, there is a possibility.”It certainly seems that surgery is a much greater possibility today than it was yesterday.
Basically, the advantage of having surgery now is that A-Rod gets a month head start on rehab, which could possibly have him back on the field in June or July, and that the issue is addressed right away. I’m no doctor, but it would seem that playing through the injury could lead to even more damage, something no one wants a part of, obviously. The team will have a month to acquire a stopgap, whether it be a trade or free agent signing, and basically not have to worry if their best player could go down for the season at any moment.
During the chat earlier today I said I was in favor of A-Rod having the surgery now, and I still am. I just think it’s best that he gets this entire thing taken care of and behind him as soon as possible. Based on what we heard tonight, it looks like Alex may be leaning that way as well.
Update (11:06pm): This is what I get for writing a post two hours in advance. Brian Cashman said no surgery has been scheduled yet, and as of right now all parties involved are trying to develop a course of action.
Photo Credit: Mitch Stringer/CSM
Open Thread: Friday Randomness
I’m sure plenty of people are curious to see how the Yanks have fared without A-Rod in the lineup over the last few years, so I looked in it. You are forewarned, it’s not pretty:
With A-Rod: 457-312 (.594), 5.81 runs per game
Without A-Rod: 19-22 (.463), 4.46 runs per game
Yikes. On to the think happy thoughts linkage:
- Stephen Strasburg’s season numbers after his latest gem: 20.1 IP, 17 baserunners, 45 K. That’s a strikeout rate of 19.92 batters per 9 IP. That’s insane. Ryan Wagner had a 16.79 K/9 for Houston in his draft year of 2003 (as a reliever), and he’s the only player I can remember having a strikeout rate even remotely close to Strasburg’s. It’s getting to the point where we can start to debate if he’s the best college righty since Mark Prior, which is rarefied air.
- Speaking of strikeouts, how about a team striking out a combined 31 times? Oof.
- Chad Jennings put together a nice handy dandy list of the Yanks’ minor league coaching staffs, including a little background info. Chad also notes that the Scranton Yanks are holding tryouts for a National Anthem singer, if you’re interested.
- Do you think Alan Trammell is a Hall of Famer? If not, you probably will after seeing this.
- I thought this was interesting: turns out having elbow ligament replacement (Tommy John) surgery doesn’t make a pitcher more prone to future injuries. You would think there would be even just a slight increase in the potential for future injuries, but I guess not.
- The rumblings for a worldwide draft are getting louder. This might actually happen … in 2012.
- Now that Dennys Reyes has caught on with the Cards, the 2009 Draft Order is basically set. The Royals would snag the 44th overall pick if/when Mark Grudzielanek signs elsewhere, but otherwise that’s it for compensation free agents. Ben Sheets isn’t expected to sign until after the draft because of his injury, ditto Paul Byrd because of his semi-retirement, so the Brewers and Sawx won’t be seeing any picks for those two. The Yanks are picking 29th, 76th, then 135th (136th if Grudz signs) and every 30 picks thereafter when the draft rolls around on June 9th.
- I think we can all relate to this.
- Can’t say I didn’t see this coming. (h/t BTF)
Anyway, here’s your open thread for the night. CC Sabathia is making his Spring Training debut tonight against the Tigers. Alas, the game is not on television, but you can follow along with the box score here. The only local team in action is the Nets, who are down in Orlando. Anything goes, and since it’s Friday, you don’t have to be nice.