Notable Rehabilitation Pitchers

There are few notable rehabilitation projects this off-season. It’s is interesting to see what kind of deals they can get and where they land. The most interesting part for me is how they perform in 2010 and which team ends up with getting the highest reward for their relatively cheap signings.

The list includes Rich Harden, Justin Duchscherer, Kelvim Escobar, Ben Sheets and Chien-Ming Wang. Anyone else?

Three pitchers on the list already got their deals that are all major league deals. According to reports, Ben Sheets is seeking for 12MM deal while there are 15 teams are interested in signing Wang.

As the list below shows, I guess Ben sheets will get a deal close to what Rich Harden gets while Wang will get a similar deal as Kelvim Escobar or Justin Duchscherer. Agree? Disagree?

Who will perform the best in 2010 is everyone’s guess. As a Taiwanese, I hope is Wang. However, I think Ben Sheets will pitch the best among them because it seems Rich Harden and Justin Duchscherer get injured a lot while Wang and Escobar come off shoulder injuries. Agree? Disagree?

Rangers Rich Harden (born 1981, 11, 30)

Injury & Achievement
1) Has a checkered health history (he's never pitched 190 innings in a season)
2) He's got No. 1 stuff and averaging 9.4 per nine innings throughout his career.

Base Deal
$6.5MM

Incentives
1) 3.5MM based on innings pitched
2) 11MM mutual option for 2011
3) 1MM buyout for 2011 mutual option

A's Justin Duchscherer (born 1977, 11, 19)

Injury & Achievement
1) Proved dominant as both a starter and reliever, posting a 2.82 ERA in 214 appearances for the A's.
2) Spent most of the season on the disabled list with an injured right hip in 2007
3) Missed the 2009 season due to shoulder and back injuries and a bout with clinical depression

Base Deal
$2MM

Incentives
1) 3.5MM based on games started and innings pitched

Mets Kelvim Escobar (born 1976, 4, 11)

Injury & Achievement
1) Between 2004 and 2007, Escobar posted a 3.60 ERA and a 2.63 K-BB ratio with Angels
2) He missed the entire 2008 season with shoulder problems
3) Labrum surgery in July 2008 limited him to just five innings of major league work in 2009

Base Deal
$1.25MM

Incentives
1) 125K for making the Mets' Opening Day roster
2) 2MM based on games pitched
3) 1MM based on games finished

Ben Sheets (born 1978, 7, 18)

Injury & Achievement
1) Missing all of 2009 with a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow
2) Posted a 3.09 ERA in 2008 ?

Chien-Ming Wang (born 1980, 3, 31)

Injury & Achievement
1) 2 times 19 games winner with 55-26 record in five years with the Yankees
2) Start 2008 season with 8-2 record before injuring his right foot when running the base
3) Coming off right shoulder surgery and might not be able to pitch until midseason

Wang: I will be ready for rehabilitation games at April

I know Wang’s days in Pinstripes are over. Just for someone may still have interests in knowing what is going on with Wang.

During the latest public appearance last Friday for his charity fund which will be the last one in Taiwan as Wang is going to go back to the United States at the end of December, Wang said he has no hard feeling toward to Yankees for the decision of letting him go because he understands the team has their own considerations.

He will go to Alabama to see Doctor James Andrews on January 4th in order to get the updated information on his injured right shoulder. After that, he will go to Fisher center for the rehabilitation continuously.

As for his future, he is interested in playing for any team no matter where the team is located. It all depends on how the negotiation goes. He focuses on his rehabilitation and the rest of stuffs he will leave to his agent.

As for his progress, he begins his long-toss program on the flat ground on Dec 1st. Right now, He has thrown 3 days a week with 55 throws per days, including 15 throws at 45 feet, 25 throws at 60 feet and 15 throws at 90 feet. So far, there is no issue and he feels great. He expects to be ready for rehabilitation games on April and then major league games on May.

A setback for Wang

Wang plays catch before the game for 10 minutes. Unfortunately, Wang suffers a setback and will stop 4 more days.

When Wang suffers the injury on July 4th, Yankees coach staff and front office are more optimistic than Wang himself regard of the his return date. The same thing happened last season when Wang injured his right foot.

Hopefully, Wang can get healthy and come back to help us in time. However, Yankees can't count on him and need to get a back end starter to add the depth of rotation because Yankees will be in deep trouble if they lose another starter. I don't think we are able to get Roy Halladay. I also agree with Cashman not to pay twice. Don't get me wrong. Halladay is one of my favorite pitchers to watch. I like to have Halladay on Yankees team. The best thing can happen to us is Blue Jays to trade Halladay to a NL team.

Andy vs Rangers

Wang is back to rotation and Hughes is in the bullpen. Yankees need to find out whether old Wang is back or not. Eventually, Yankees need Wang to back in form. To keep messing around Wang physically and mentally is not a right thing to do. As for Hughes, Yankees should send Hughes back to minor as a start to make sure we have an insurance for injury to one of our starters. That being said, it won't be a bad idea to put Hughes in the bullpen before Bruney and Marte come back.

7:19pm Andy hasn't been able to command his pitches at low strike zone. Is his back ok? Hopefully, he is fine.

7:21pm Andy is in trouble immediately. first and third at 1 out.

7:28pm Andy is in bigger trouble. All things consider, it will be fine for Yankees if Andy only gives up 2 runs in this inning.

7:30pm Well, Three run is a little bit too much. But, as a starter, if this is only three runs Andy giving up, we will be fine. I just worry about Andy's back.

8:19pm What a turn around inning for Pettitte! After letting the first two guys to get on the base with no one out, he strike out the side to end the inning.

8:21pm Let us see if Swisher can get that run in with less than 2 outs.

9:25pm What a terrible game for A-Rod so far! Let see whether Yankees can come back to win this or not.

9:42pm Posada cut the deficit to 2 runs. There is the hope.

10:36pm Well. Big day for Wang tomorrow. If we can win tomorrow game, we will take another series which is fine. We can't win it all. But, I did concern about Pettitte's back. I believe Wang will perform well. However, Because the limit of pitching count(75-80), this game may be decided by the work from bullpen.

The reality between Yankees and Wang

Since MJB(one of my loyal readers) was wondering about how Taiwanese react to Cashman's comments regard of Wang in the comment section, I am going to talk about that issue now.

According to Taiwanese news, Cashman called Wang's agent immediately right after Andrew Marchand's report comes out. Cashman apologies for his improper comments regard of Wang. He says he loses control and then leads to those improper comments because Andrew Marchand keep questioning the moves Yankees make regard of Wang. Andrew Marchand pushes so hard that leads Cashman to says something he shouldn't say. Cashman says Yankees still view Wang as a starting pitcher and hope Wang can regain the form as soon as possible in order to go back to rotation.

Here is my take regard of Yankees with Wang. Yankees never thought Wang would succeed. Let alone think he will have long term success. In Yankees' prospect, Wang is a fragile pitcher(a bad shoulder+ a bad foot) with one good pitch(sinker) and so few strikeouts. Yankees think Wang will lose the ability to get big league hitters out at any moment. Every time Wang shows any red flag, Yankees will immediately think "Is he done?"

Therefore, Yankees will try to get out of Wang as much as they can at the cost as low as possible. They never think to re-sign Wang once he hits free agent market. Let alone sign him a long term contract before he becomes free agent. They may be ready to trade him away once Wang rebuild his trade value.

I guess this is also what most Yankees fans think. That's why Yankees are not afraid of making Wang angry and don't take care of his feeling because they don't think Wang can come back to bite them. On top of that, how Hughes and Joba perform impacts how people view Cashman's legacy directly. Cashman certainly will give them every chance to succeed.

Don't get me wrong. I agree with Yankees not giving rotation spot back to Wang solely based on his track record. Yankees may bring Wang back too early, but there is only so much Wang can do against minor league hitters. Wang needs to face major league hitters little by little in order to rebuild his confidence. Wang has to show he can throw the ball any place he wants consistently before going back to rotation. To blame whose fault won't do anyone good.

However, Yankees should set up the whole plan before they activate Wang and then Yankees has to do a better job to communicate with Wang in order to make him comfortable and ease his concern. That is what get most Taiwanese upset during the whole process, not losing rotation spot.

Eventually, Yankees will need Wang in the rotation because innings limit of Hughes and Joba and the potential injury to one of starters.

I know Yankees don't think Wang will come back to haunt them, but no one can predict the future and no one know what kind of career any player will have. I know Wang is under Yankees control, but it won't hurt Yankees to make him happy and comfortable as much as possible when it won't hurt Yankees' chance of winning. By the way, Yankees may need Wang more than expected if new Yankees stadium turnout to be a homerun happy place for hitters.

I am always a Yankees fan no matter Wang is on the Yankees team or not. However, as a Taiwanese, I always have a soft spot for Wang. Don't blame me to have a different view regard of any issue related to Wang. Taiwanese expect so much out of Wang. You guys can't image how much pressure Wang has from his native country.

Wang will stay with Yankees because of Joba's injury

Joba was hit by a pitch. Because of that, Yankees bullpen has to pick up almost the whole game. Based on many Taiwanese news outlets, Yankees decide to let Wang stay with the team and prepare to pitch out of bullpen for upcoming series against Phillies.

I know most New York media report Wang will go to SWB to pitch one more minor league game. However, Taiwanese reporters confirm this new with Wang that is what I read from Taiwanese news. Wang said he will do his best to pitch as well as he can no matter where he is and what kind of role he will be put into. Taiwanese news outlets report Yankees call back Wang after Joba get hit by a pitch and has to leave the game.

I guess we will know whether this news is right or not tomorrow. I just to want to share this news with you guys. If the news is not right, don't blame me. I don't try to make up news, I just tell you guys what I read from Taiwanese websites.

Wang at AAA

7:25pm Wang has a good first two innings. They don't show velocity, so I don't know his velocity. But, he keep pitching down in the strike zone. His delivery looks much better. He throws some great sliders and changeup along the way. By the way, his pitching count is so low now through 2 innings(16 pitches). That is the way Halladay goes as well. One of the biggest advantages sinker pitchers have.

7:36pm For most part, Wang has great location for most pitches. Based on announcers, Wang throws sinker at around 92mph.

7:49pm Wang issues first walk of the game in 4 pitches. Now, Five pitches in a row out of strike zone. A nice sinker to a called strike and then get runner who tries to steal second base. Another good sinker and slider to get another strike out.

7:53pm Wang gets hit by a comeback at his left shin. It appears he is ok.

7:58pm The way hitters from SWB swing the bat looks like the way Yankees batters against Halladay.

8:05pm By the way, A.J is in trouble and gives up 2 runs. The way Halladay pitches A.J better not to give up more runs. 3 runs for Yankees to score off Halladay is a tall order, especially when you consider Halladay only throws 38 pitches through 4 innings.

8:19pm Austin Jackson looks good during his at bat in my opinion. It appears to me Wang gets squeezed by home plate umpire. But, Wang's pitches are up in the zone more the last couple of innings. I am not sure whether Wang works on his other secondary pitches or not, but Wang issues his third walks of the game.

9pm Wang's line: 6IP 3H 0R(ER) 3BB 6k 82 pitches 49 strikes. I need to leave home now. Come back later for more reports.

Posada will be out at least 2 weeks

I know most Yankees fans know this news by now. I just want to say one thing. I hope this doesn't change the way Yankees handles A-Rod's injury and decide to rush A-Rod back. I know we need A-Rod, but we need him healthy the rest of season and playoffs(if we have). The last thing Yankees need is to rush him back few days earlier and then lost him again.

Baldelli hits DL at 14th game of the season

Rocco Baldelli will be placed on the 15-day disabled list because of soreness in his left leg.

It is a high risk and high reward signing, isn't it? Don't get me wrong. I don't want any player to get injured. I just want to point out this when a lot of Yankees fans blame Cashman not to take the chance with certain player when Red Sox front office is very smart and willing to do so.

Nady will "only" be out 4-6 weeks

I think they come up with this conclusion because Nady will be a free agent after this season. I am wondering how much Nady can bring on the table if he only is able to play as DH. We already have a lot of DH candidates. However, that is no guarantee Swisher will be able to hit like this the whole season and how healthy the rest of lineup will be. It certainly is good to have some depth.

So, what is next for Wang?

Yankees has decided to skip Wang's turn at Fenway park. A move I agree with because Wang and Yankees need to fix his problems before making another start, not because of first series against Boston Red Sox and Wang's bad statistics against them.

So, what is next for Wang now? Girardi is supposed to announce how Yankees deal with Wang's next step today. This is my take. Let wait and see whether we agree with each other or not.

Let me say this first. It is not easy to replace No.3 starting pitcher who usually wins at least 19 wins at AL East when he is healthy with 200 innings and sub 4 ERA. You don't give up this kind of pitcher after three terrible starts when you consider he is young and just comes back from injury. Not to mention, Yankees still can control three more years at relatively low price. Yankees can't just throw him away that a lot of short-sighted Yankees fans want to do now.

Yankees will need Wang eventually. Pettitte is not young anymore. Joba has innings limited and had his own minor injury last season. We all know A.J's rich injury history. Even for CC, he hasn't been himself yet. Yankees need to fix Wang and get him right as soon as possible. Wang actually shows signs of improvement during his last start against Indians. He throws more good pitches with more movement and velocity at good location.

Yankees needs to figure out ways to let Wang keep pitching in order to get his mechanics right and build up his arm strength. Because Wang has no option left and hasn't had long enough service time in order to get his permission to send down. There is no way Wang can clear the waiver before sending down to minors. The only way is to make up "injury". However, the way Girardi, Eliand and Wang acts, it will be difficult to come up and suddenly say Wang is injured because no one will take Girardi, Eliand and Wang seriously any more. Assuming Wang doesn't find out he is injured suddenly, Wang will be on the big league team. Because of that, we need to fix him as soon as possible. But, don't send him out to the mound before he proves he corrects problems.

This is what I will do.

Firstly, Wang usually throws two bullpen sections between starts. I will let him ready to come in game if the situation is called for. First bullpen section will be around 50 pitches while second bullpen section will be around 25 pitches. For example, Andy will start tonight game which will be the day Wang throws his second bullpen section.

Secondly, let Wang start a minor league game on Thursday(April 23th)which is off day. If Wang corrects his problems, let him start April 28th against Tigers. At the same time, get a long man ready. If Wang pitches decently that game, he should be back to rotation. If Wang is not able to correct his problems after starting on Thursday, get Hughes or whoever pitches best on AAA now to pitch April 28th.

At that point, Girardi, Eliand and Wang may have to bite the bullet and then make up "injury" in order to get on DL. Or, going few more turns in the minor leagues to see if Wang improves his start. Or, let Wang be a long man to get his work in when someone get knocked out of game. Among these three options, I will prefer to put Wang on DL in order to get someone up to help Yankees in the bullpen while Wang can get his regular work in at minor league.

Let Wang get his work in at minor league games until he corrects his problems. Yankees should be able to solve Wang's problems on way or the other.

What is wrong with Wang? part 2

Some people believe there is no way Wang is healthy. Michael Kay even comes up with his own take on his radio show: Wang has a bad shoulder. Others believe Wang's problem comes from bad mechanics.

As for now, I take Wang's words. Wang is not a 40 years old pitcher who is at the end of career. There is no point to pitch through injury, especially at the beginning of season. As my previous post points out, I believe what Bruney said. Because Wang hasn't trust his right foot or hasn't build up strength of his right foot completely, it leads to his bad delivery, terrible control and horrible command.

Because of long layoff, Wang's mechanics is not consistent and is difficult to repeat and regain. As for Wang's velocity, I see 92mph sinker from Wang with good movement from Wang during his last start against Indians. A lot of fans always like to add few mph when they describe how hard a pitcher on their team throws. Based on what I hear from Wang, Wang's sinker is around 91-93 while his four seamer will top at 94 at times. I don't think Wang loses 5mph on his sinker(95mph to 90). The way a lot of people claim.

Keep in mind three things. First of all, terrible delivery also can lead to drop of velocity. Secondly, Wang may hasn't built up his arm strength due to long layoff. Thirdly, Wang's velocity usually is up when the season goes on.

Even if Wang loses few mph on his sinker, he still will be a above average pitcher or at least average, serviceable pitcher if he gets his command, control and movement back on his pitches(sinker,four-seamer, sliders).

The only concern I have is Wang's bad mechanics may lead to arm problem later on.

P.S Based on interviews Wang have with Taiwanese media, Wang actually feels he starts getting his sinker back the last game against Indians. During the whole spring training, Wang has two concerns. First of all, he hasn't gotten his velocity all the way back yet. Secondly, he hasn't threw his sinker well yet. He is glad he starts getting the feel of his sinker. In his opinion, the movement and location is much more important than velocity.

Why I say stupid Cano regard of his injury

I want to make one thing clear why I say Cano is stupid regard of his injury. I am not here to judge and tell people what the most important thing is for them because I know everyone has different opinions on importance of different things in their life. Other people should not use their own standard to judge others.

I feel Cano is stupid for two reasons. First of all, I think people should treat any person the same no matter nationality and race. If we want the world becomes peacefully, we should treat other people the same and try to understand them. This just like the way we treat our family. I haven't been able to do that completely, but I work hard toward that direction that I believe it's a right direction.

For me, I cheer and enjoy high performance that is displayed by any athlete from any country and any race. I learn this based on years I have stayed in many places. In the past, I cheered for Taiwanese national team crazily. Now, I won't be extremely upset if my national team or favorite team lose. Of course, I am a Yankees fan. It's still hard for me when Red Sox beat us. But, I respect any athlete or team whose high performance.

That's why I don't mind players want to play in WBC for their countries, but not when they are hurt or just come back from injury.

Secondly, I don't agree athlete should play through pain all the time. I know players play with less than 100% quite often, but at some point they don't help their teams to win. This just like we know we should stay at home and don't go to work if we are sick. Team may lose with you when you play through injury and may win with the replacement. Baseball is a team sport, not individual sport. I sometimes feel players just don't want to lose their playing time or lose their jobs to someone.

Not to mention, Yankee is Cano and Marte's employer. Be able to stay on the field is part of their responsibilities. They have responsibility to inform Yankees and make decision with Yankees, not by themselves. Cano should tell Yankees when he feels that before WBC. Who knows what kind of decision Yankees will make. Yankees may let him play in WBC, but make sure he doesn't play this much. Yankees may send Cano to check out and find out there is nothing wrong with him. And then Cano is clear to play. We are all mad when our friends or family make some huge decisions that impact other people by themselves. It's about respect.

Stupid Cano

After reading reports from Peter's blog regard how Marte and Cano get hurt, I have to admit I am a little bit mad at Cano when I read Cano feels his shoulder tight before leaving for WBC. He not only doesn't tell Yankees but also goes there to play three games. I can't image what kind of damage Cano will do to himself if Dominican Republic is not eliminated ?

I know Cano gets his long term contract, but he needs to think about his team and Yankees more. I know players play at less than 100% all the time(except Pavano), but not for WBC in my opinion.

oh, no, Marte and Cano get hurt in WBC

According to the report from Peter's blog, Marte and Cano get hurt in WBC and are going to check out by doctors tomorrow. Hopefully, they don't have serious injury. Hopefully, they just have normal sore and pain that happen in the spring training all the time. We better start praying for Jeter and hope USA team to lose sooner than later.

By the way, who you worry more?

It's silly to worry established major leagure pitchers' performance in spring training as long as they are healthy

as title

It sounds like a good choice

There is always risk invloving with surgery no matter which one Yankees choose. I trust professionism. If everything goes according to plan, we should be able to get A-Rod back around the beginning of May.

When we make mistakes, we try to learn something from that and make an improvement. There is no need to point fingers for that. Just like Yankees let pitchers to practice bunting this spring training. I believe Yankees should learn how to deal with injury better after A-Rod's injury.

We need to upgrade bench

I know not only there are a lot of rumors flying around regard of what exactly happen to A-Rod right now but also there are different opinons regard what Yankees should let A-Rod to have surgery now or not.

I can't make up my mind. On one hand, We often want to avoid surgery at all cost. The same thing may apply to baseball players. On top of that, there is no doubt A-Rod is a tough player. If Jeter can play through a broken wrist and Mo can play through a painful shoulder injury most of last season, A-Rod may be able to do it as well. Not to mention, Ultey and Lowell did the same thing last season when they have similar injury.

On the other hand, why not do it now if A-Rod will need surgery eventually. Not to mention, playing through this hip injury may lead to another injury. When you consider A-Rod was signed through until age 42 and Utley and Lowell were not the same player last season, we may just let A-Rod have that surgery now. If we do it now, we have a free March for rehab. If A-Rod needs 5 months to recover, we still can get him back in August for playoff run.

So, I trust any decision Yankees make because they certainly have more information on hand than us. If I have to guess now, Yankees will let A-Rod play through it if this happen during season. Because we still have a month of spring training, some options on trade or free agent market on this bad economy and long term commitment to A-Rod, A-Rod will have his surgery. Right now, Cashman may just try to play game to gain some time in order to get a player to replace A-Rod.

It's impossible to replace A-Rod's production. I won't trade good prospects for a star 3B for this 4 months rental with potential of eating another bad contract. I won't think about moving someone on Yankees now to play 3B(Teixeira, Cano, Nady and Swisher) because it is hard enough for them to step up their games in order to make up A-Rod's absence.

The more I think about it, the more I think the thing Yankees need to do now is upgrading their bench. In the past few years, We have a bad bench because no one wants to sit on Yankees bench when they know they won't have much playing time. Even if we go with Cody Ransom at 3B, we still need another utility infielder. Even if we let A-Rod play through this hip injury, he need to rest more. That's why we difinitely need to upgrade the bench.

I like Mark Grudzielanek or Chone Figgins if we can get them. Because Chone Figgins was signed to almost 6 million and we need to trade prospects for him, it may be better to get Grudzielanek. However, Chone is younger, can play many positions and can do a lot of different things for us when Grudzielanek haven't play at 3B.

P.S After hearing few games in spring training, it seems Berroa's defense is very terrible. It further proves we need to upgrade our bench.

oh,No.No.No. 10 weeks out for A-Rod?

I just post a post regard of A-Rod's injury and wish he is fine. And then I get this terrible news regard of A-Rod. Image that we hear this news when Teixeira is on Red Sox. So, if this news is true, all we do now is thinking about the solution. The good news is this happens in March. If we have to have injury, it's better to have sooner than later in the season.

Cashman may need to work out a trade to bring someone who is capable 3B. How about an internal candidate or a free agent? Swisher? any prospect down the farm? Eric Duncan? I don't know. Any good suggestion? If we have Cody Ransom to play 3B, we need to bring in another utility infielder. This certainly puts more pressure on newcomers(A.J., C.C, Teixeira) or other players on the team(Cano, Gardner, etc.) to perform.

By the way, Anyone feel happy about any players' injury should feel shame on yourself.

I guess it's hard for A-Rod not to make news

Someone sometimes can't live without getting attention. That's why I sometimes wonder it's better off for Yankees without this drama king. However, I think most A-Rod's teammates start to realize what kind of person A-Rod is and get used to him. That being said, Hopefully, A-Rod's injury is fine and he can get some rest he may need.