With Wang taking line drive off his knee, and going to the hospital for precautionary x-rays (nothing serious, please...); Small starting the season on the DL with a strained hamstring; Pavano at least a month away for whatever reason(s); and Wright being a injury waiting to happen, I'm starting to get a little concerned about their pitching depth.

It's imperative that RJ and Moose get off to good starts.

Damon may not be able to throw, but he his range will be a significant upgrade in CF.

As for Thompson, I never got my hopes up because I understand that Torre's decision making process is intractable.

Wang's x-rays are negative.

Wang's x-rays are negative.

That is good to hear, that first post made my heart skip a beat. The good news WRT to pitching depth is that they don't really need more than four starters for the first month, given they have five off-days. Obviously you don't want to be starting Johnson on three days' rest in April, but if they're going to have depth issues, April is the month to do it.

This has been a good Sspring for the Yanks; no major injuries, positive outings by Johnson.... now I'm looking foward to the season. So far, so good.

With Wang taking line drive off his knee, and going to the hospital for precautionary x-rays (nothing serious, please...); Small starting the season on the DL with a strained hamstring; Pavano at least a month away for whatever reason(s); and Wright being a injury waiting to happen, I'm starting to get a little concerned about their pitching depth.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Scott Erickson! [ Sees second Post] Phew.

just think next blog entry can actually be in count the ringz

hmm odd it shows up on the main page, my mistake, wang needs to be good i have him as a fantays pitcher

I'm still holding out hope that Bubba Crosby gets traded to the Marlins. I don't even want the Yankees to get anything for him, just his roster spot freeing up. Thompson or Reese are better fits for 4th OF.

Bubba Crosby is not entirely worthless.

Bubba Crosby is not entirely worthless.

No, he's not. But on a team with a 4 man bench, he's not good enough to carry. If they get down to 11 pitchers, they can afford a guy whose lone skill is defense. If not, I'd rather see someone like Thompson or Reese.

Of course, Bernie's going to be the full-time DH and part-time RF, so it probably doesn't matter. Let's hope for a Bernie rebound.

Assuming the bench is Stinnett, Cairo, Phillips and...? I'd rather have Crosby's D on offer than what Thompson/Reese bring to the table. The starting nine figure to score plenty of runs, and if you're subbing someone in from the bench for offense, that would figure to be Phillips. Espcially with Sheffield in right, I'd rather have Crosby out there every now-and-then when Gary DHs than Thompson

I would prefer Thompson on the bench because Damon is likely to play 150 games, while Sheff would be benefited by DHing at least 40 games (if not substantially more), and Thompson offense/defense offers more than Crosby if the primary OF back up position is RF.

Until proven otherwise in the regular season, I will continue to believe that Bernie is done.

It depends on if you are comfortable with Bernie starting in the OF when one of the OF is DHing.

While Bernie's bat has looked good in the WBC and spring so far, I'm still a skeptic, and the thought of everyone up to and including Bengie Molina going first to third on every single to RF is no fun either.

Also, if they need to completely rest someone, I'd rather see Thompson or Reese starting over Bubba. I still think they should try Phillips in LF and RF a bit too.

So how does the pitching line up for next week? I imagine Unit, Moose and Chacon the first 3 games? Then Wang (if healthy)? Because I want to know if there will be any Jaret (Mercy Flush) Wright sightings well in advance of any possible appearances next week.

I don't think Crosby is an especially good defensive player, I think carry a defensive outfielder would matter if he were Endy Chavez, but Bubba's defense just doesn't impress me. Also, one of the other two (Thompson maybe) is supposed to be pretty fast so I don't know that he would be much worse then Crosby anyway.

Assuming that Wang is OK by April 7, the earliest risk of a Wright start is April 15. After that, April 29.

Assuming the bench is Stinnett, Cairo, Phillips and...? I'd rather have Crosby's D on offer than what Thompson/Reese bring to the table. The starting nine figure to score plenty of runs, and if you're subbing someone in from the bench for offense, that would figure to be Phillips. Espcially with Sheffield in right, I'd rather have Crosby out there every now-and-then when Gary DHs than Thompson

Thompson is consdiered by scouts the better defensive player

Did j'all see that Fan Favorite, Tino Martinez is going to be an analyst on Baseball Tonight this season?

From The Record

[...]

By today, Torre should know whether Chien-Ming Wang is fit to stay in line as the No. 3 starter. Struck on the right knee by a hard grounder Sunday, Wang had good range of motion Monday, according to trainer Steve Donohue.

Wang tentatively is set to make his final spring tuneup Friday at Phoenix. However, he could skip that start and still take the ball at Oakland in eight days.

If Wang can't go, Jaret Wright would be the likely replacement – as long as his back remains a non-issue after Thursday's start (probably against minor-leaguers).

"If it goes well, I don't see any reason why I wouldn't be ready," said Wright, who felt fine after a hard, 50-pitch bullpen session Monday.

"I think that's a big test for him," Torre said of Wright.

But tonight's spotlight belongs to Carl Pavano, who is scheduled to pitch an inning against the Phillies at Legends Field – his first game action since an August rehab start.

"The only thing I look for is to have him come out of it feeling good," Torre said.

The Yankees won't need a fifth starter until mid-April, and Pavano needs about 25 innings before he's ready to rejoin the staff.

That's late-April, at the earliest.

How old is Reese? If he's going to be a contributer, isn't it better to have him playing every day at AAA than sitting in the Bronx?

I'd say the same about Thompson, but for some reason I think he's old-ish.

Bubba Crosby is not entirely worthless.

adam stern > bubba crosby.

adam stern > bubba crosby.

Thank you, Mr. Obvious.