Jorge Posada, who has been out since the end of April with a shoulder injury, is expected to rejoin the Yankees by Thursday of this week. Posada will catch two straight games, have an off day on Wednesday and then rejoin the team on Thursday in Yankee Stadium. However, Posada should not be coming back to the team so soon. The Yankees are not having his catch on Wednesday, because they don't trust that he can catch three days in a row. If the organization still trusts his shoulder so little, why would they activate him so soon?
The team is forcing him back because of problems it has had against lefties. With Posada back in the lineup, it can break up the tandem of Matsui - Giambi - Cano, which has been terrorized by lefty specialists since the Yankee catcher left the lineup. Posada can slide Cano down the eighth slot, which he is more comfortable.
Still, if the Yankees don't trust Posada to catch three days in a row, then he is being rushed back. It wouldn't surprise me if he re-injures his shoulder on a throw down to second base. Clearly the Yankees know this, since they have said that they will be carrying three catchers on their roster (Posada along with Jose Molina and Chad Moeller). The Yanks should wait a week until Posada is completely healthy. Then, they can take the risk of sticking him behind the plate.
- D. Spell
No comments:
Post a Comment