From George King:
Don't expect Chien-Ming Wang to suddenly delete his mechanical problems tomorrow in Tampa when he makes an extended spring training start.I just hope that whatever the Yankees decide to do with Wang works, and works relatively quickly. I know Phil Hughes is pitching well in the minors, and could fill Wang's spot in the rotation for a while, but the Yanks still need Wang to regain his form and pitch like he can.
And since GM Brian Cashman believes it's going to take more than one non-major league outing to correct Wang's problems and it's not likely the Yankees will pitch a man short, the DL is a possibility for the pitcher who says health isn't the reason he has gotten spanked in three starts.
It's not out of the question the Yankees want Wang to build arm strength while on the DL. His velocity Saturday was 89-91 mph and Cashman didn't rule out a battery of tests.
"Usually, I am 93 to 94," Wang said before last night's game against the A's at Yankee Stadium.
Since the Yankees are off tomorrow, Wang will pitch in Tampa. He is slated to throw 100 pitches. Pitching a man short or putting Wang on the DL are the only options since Wang would have to clear waivers in order to be sent to the minor leagues and there is no chance a pitcher who won 46 games in the past 2½ seasons would get through.
6 Comments:
I heard this being talked about on Francesa's show. I think it would be a good move. Let him rest his arm, then work on his mechanics. Something is terribly off, hes dragging his arm way behind. I think we'll see Hughes or Kennedy up if he goes on the dl. I still think if Mulder or Pedro drop their prices we should at least work them out and see what they have to offer.
I think it will be Hughes. The Yankees were very impressed by him this spring.
I wouldn't be against seeing what those two have to offer either. Though at this point I don't think it will be much.
I think Wang's in trouble, but what do I know? Boy could we use another pitcher, and if it Hughes I hope that this time he's up to the task.
Mike
It definitely looks like Wang is in trouble. From the video I posted the other day you can clearly see his mechanics are all screwed up. I'm starting to buy into the theory that he doesn't trust his foot yet and that's throwing everything off.
Kennedy is also doing quite well, don't sour on him. He had another great game last night. The SWB team finally lost, but it was after he left.
That's true Steve, I just think Hughes is higher on to totem pole right now.
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