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UNLUCKY BREAK
WANG SEASON IN JEOPARDY AFTER FOOT INJURY IN WIN
By GEORGE A. KING III
June 15, 2008 --
HOUSTON - They won't be sure until Chien-Ming Wang exits the Carl Pavano Memorial MRI tube tomorrow and the test is examined, but there is a strong belief in the YankeesNew York Yankees ' universe that Chien-Ming Wang's season could be over due to a Lisfranc fracture in his right foot.
Wang suffered what was diagnosed by Astros team doctor John Duggan as a sprain on the top of the foot while scoring on Derek Jeter's single to right in the sixth inning of the Yankees' 13-0 victory over Houston today in front of 43,165.
"I feel sore and the doctor said I have to have an MRI," Wang said via the Yankees PR department. Wang, who didn't have tests taken today, had a soft cast on the foot and required crutches to get around. "Of course I am disappointed. On Tuesday, when I will know more, I will talk."
By Tuesday, the 37-33 Yankees, who have won four straight games and nine of 12, may be without their ace for the final 3½ months of the season that was rapidly improving because of stellar pitching by Wang, Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte, and Joba Chamberlain's progress as a starter.
If Wang has a Lisfranc fracture (a fracture and dislocation of mid-foot bones on top of the foot) he could require surgery that would finish his season. Brian Bruney suffered the same injury on April 22, opted not to have surgery and has no definitive return date.
Former Giants defensive end Michael Strahan suffered a similar injury during the 2006 season, didn't have surgery and missed seven weeks.
Mussina made it clear he didn't know the extent of Wang's injury. However, he understands what losing Wang would mean.
"Nothing against A-Rod and (Jorge) Posada but when you lose a front-line starter, that's a big deal," Mussina said. "There are seven other guys in the lineup. When you lose your No. 1 starter, that's very hard. He is the ace."
Like everybody else, Pettitte's fingers are firmly crossed, as he realizes the magnitude of losing Wang, who threw five shutout innings and improved to 8-2.
"Obviously, it would be a huge loss," Pettitte said. "He is our ace and unreplaceable for what he does."
The Yankees' options to replace Wang are limited. The Indians aren't about to deal C.C. Sabathia and the Yankees don't have the major league-ready arms Cleveland will want if the stud lefty goes on the market. Dan Giese is in the Yanks' bullpen, and the organization has Daniel McCutchen, Alan Horne, Jeffrey Marquez and Kei Igawa at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Any deal for a second-line starter such as Shawn Chacon would carry a high price tag because clubs know the Yankees have a dire need for an arm if Wang is shelved.
Girardi refused to speculate on Wang's injury but said "I would be shocked" if Wang was able to make his next start Saturday.
"We have to find a way to get it done," Girardi said of having to replace Wang. "It's not easy to replace 19 wins. We were without A-Rod, Jeter and Posada. You have to find a way."
Girardi thought Wang, who was on base via a fielder's choice after bunting, suffered the injury when he touched third. Mussina, however, said Wang's foot gave out when he was on the grass between third and home.
Robinson Cano, who went 2-for-4 and drove in three runs, scored ahead of Wang and was the first to notice something wrong when the pitcher crossed the plate.
"He didn't say anything," Cano said of Wang, who bent over and grabbed his right knee. "I hope it's a few days and he gets back on the mound. He isn't a guy you want to go on the DL."
WANG SEASON IN JEOPARDY AFTER FOOT INJURY IN WIN
By GEORGE A. KING III
June 15, 2008 --
HOUSTON - They won't be sure until Chien-Ming Wang exits the Carl Pavano Memorial MRI tube tomorrow and the test is examined, but there is a strong belief in the YankeesNew York Yankees ' universe that Chien-Ming Wang's season could be over due to a Lisfranc fracture in his right foot.
Wang suffered what was diagnosed by Astros team doctor John Duggan as a sprain on the top of the foot while scoring on Derek Jeter's single to right in the sixth inning of the Yankees' 13-0 victory over Houston today in front of 43,165.
"I feel sore and the doctor said I have to have an MRI," Wang said via the Yankees PR department. Wang, who didn't have tests taken today, had a soft cast on the foot and required crutches to get around. "Of course I am disappointed. On Tuesday, when I will know more, I will talk."
By Tuesday, the 37-33 Yankees, who have won four straight games and nine of 12, may be without their ace for the final 3½ months of the season that was rapidly improving because of stellar pitching by Wang, Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte, and Joba Chamberlain's progress as a starter.
If Wang has a Lisfranc fracture (a fracture and dislocation of mid-foot bones on top of the foot) he could require surgery that would finish his season. Brian Bruney suffered the same injury on April 22, opted not to have surgery and has no definitive return date.
Former Giants defensive end Michael Strahan suffered a similar injury during the 2006 season, didn't have surgery and missed seven weeks.
Mussina made it clear he didn't know the extent of Wang's injury. However, he understands what losing Wang would mean.
"Nothing against A-Rod and (Jorge) Posada but when you lose a front-line starter, that's a big deal," Mussina said. "There are seven other guys in the lineup. When you lose your No. 1 starter, that's very hard. He is the ace."
Like everybody else, Pettitte's fingers are firmly crossed, as he realizes the magnitude of losing Wang, who threw five shutout innings and improved to 8-2.
"Obviously, it would be a huge loss," Pettitte said. "He is our ace and unreplaceable for what he does."
The Yankees' options to replace Wang are limited. The Indians aren't about to deal C.C. Sabathia and the Yankees don't have the major league-ready arms Cleveland will want if the stud lefty goes on the market. Dan Giese is in the Yanks' bullpen, and the organization has Daniel McCutchen, Alan Horne, Jeffrey Marquez and Kei Igawa at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Any deal for a second-line starter such as Shawn Chacon would carry a high price tag because clubs know the Yankees have a dire need for an arm if Wang is shelved.
Girardi refused to speculate on Wang's injury but said "I would be shocked" if Wang was able to make his next start Saturday.
"We have to find a way to get it done," Girardi said of having to replace Wang. "It's not easy to replace 19 wins. We were without A-Rod, Jeter and Posada. You have to find a way."
Girardi thought Wang, who was on base via a fielder's choice after bunting, suffered the injury when he touched third. Mussina, however, said Wang's foot gave out when he was on the grass between third and home.
Robinson Cano, who went 2-for-4 and drove in three runs, scored ahead of Wang and was the first to notice something wrong when the pitcher crossed the plate.
"He didn't say anything," Cano said of Wang, who bent over and grabbed his right knee. "I hope it's a few days and he gets back on the mound. He isn't a guy you want to go on the DL."
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