It Keeps Getting Worse
The Yankees announced after the game that A-Rod is headed to the DL with a grade 2 quad strain, no word yet on a callup, but Wilson Betemit could be activated if he is healthy. Beyond that it is hard to guess what way the Yankees would go. Juan Miranda is the only healthy position player on the 40-man roster who isn't already in the majors.
Without A-Rod and Posada, the Yankees are missing two huge parts of the offense. Apart from hoping that Cano's homer tonight will wake him up the Yankees don't have a lot of options. I would activate Betemit and let him loose against righty pitching. Matsui in the lineup every night is a must. Giambi and Duncan can split first with whoever is hitting getting the nod.
My bigger question is what is going on with the Yankees' doctors? Both Posada and A-Rod came back from injuries too soon and were then forced to the DL. Last year Marty Miller walked the plank for the injuries the team suffered in April, is someone going to pay the price in 2008?
Comments
Here's my guess about doctors and players. Doctors can look at pictures and have a diagnosis. The uglier the picture, the worse the diagnosis, the easier it is for the MD to say "stop - enough". In those borderline situations, the team has to rely on what the player is saying. Think back to Tanyon Strutze saying he felt fine while his shoulder was imploding. Jeter seemed to know the right amount to stay out - which surpised me in that he's typically a guy who would try to BS his way to play SS on crutches if he could get away with it - but A-Rod seemed either to rush it or re-injure the quad.
Whatever the reasons, you're right that we're in deep trouble right now with Alex and Jorge out, and Cano slumping and Giambi the cat STILL pulling almost everything into the Giambi shift.
Let's see we've got two solid starters (both with injury histroies) an aging starter who may start (or resume) a steep decline any week now and two kids who seem to need more seasoning.
Heck of a way to start a season. Arms and Bats. Ugh.
Posted by: Mitchell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 30, 2008 09:07 AM
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Peter was right in questioning the Yankees' hitting even before the season started. This team just doesn't hit.
Matsui and Abreu look like themselves. Everyone else is from hunger, including Jeter who still looks injured.
My suggestions:
1. Play Damon and Matsui everyday. They know how to hit and to get on base.
2. By reason of no. 1, Giambi will lose some at bats, and should platoon with Duncan at first.
3. Go with Damon/Jeter at top of order, Abreu/Matsui in middle and then bat Cabrera fifth. Ensburg sixth and then Giambi (or Duncan) and Molina. Cano bats ninth until he looks like Cano again.
4. Need Damon, Cabrera, and Cano to run; Jeter too if he's healthy.
5. Girardi has to embrace the Torre philosophy of keeping injured players out of the lineup until they are fully healed. I don't know why he rushed A Rod back. He should have rested and rejoined the team in New York.
6. How soon will it take Hank to push the panic button and to make a move for Bonds or Griffey or Dunn?
Posted by: Corey | April 30, 2008 10:06 AM |