Jorge Has a Great Day, Says He's 100%

From Marc Carig:

Jorge Posada declared himself 100 percent on Sunday. The results made it difficult to argue with him.

The New York Yankees catcher offered solid evidence that his surgically repaired right shoulder will stand up to the rigors of 110 games this season - as the organization is hoping - throwing out three of four baserunners during a minor league exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

"Now you know you can trust your arm again," Posada said. "That's all I wanted to do, come out of spring training knowing that I could trust my arm."

He had been o-for-5 throwing out runners this spring, but according to Carig, Posada made an adjustment which enabled him to set his feet properly and the results were immediate.

Gonzalez, Shelby Ford (yes, kind of like the car) and Brian Friday all got great jumps off first base against Posada and his batterymate, CC Sabathia. Didn't matter. Posada nailed all three with strong, accurate, throws.

"You can't compare what I was feeling last year," said Posada, who played through his shoulder injury before shutting it down last season. "I couldn't do that, I couldn't make three throws like that."

Here's another quote from Jorge about his adjustment from the NY Post:

"I told myself, just slow everything down, and that's what I did," Posada said. "It worked out. We're going to keep building from today, but today is special. You throw a couple guys out and you feel good about that. It feels good that I'm back to 100 percent."

If Jorge is actually back to being 100% this is easily be the best news we have heard, or will hear, all spring. The importance of having Posada behind the plate for a full season cannot be underestimated. He's not only a leader on the field, but off the field as well.