A week before the playoffs begin, the New York Yankees are worried about the health of another starting pitcher. This time, it's Orlando Hernandez.
A tired right shoulder was going to prevent El Duque from making his scheduled start Tuesday night, but New York's game against the Minnesota Twins was postponed by rain. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Now Hernandez, who had surgery on the shoulder in May 2003, is not expected to pitch again until at least Thursday or Friday. If he's still ailing heading into the postseason, an already shaky and old Yankees rotation could be in major trouble.
"It's always worrisome when your pitchers have trouble and you start the playoffs next week," manager Joe Torre said. "Right now, we obviously take the healthiest people and the most qualified people."
Javier Vazquez has struggled badly down the stretch, and 39-year-old Kevin Brown just missed three weeks after breaking his non-pitching hand when he punched a clubhouse wall on Sept. 3.
Brown returned Sunday at Fenway Park and was tattooed by the rival Red Sox, giving up four runs and six hits in the first inning. He was chased after getting only two outs — now he might wind up in the bullpen when October rolls around.
Hernandez, believed to be 38, has been New York's best starter since July 11, when he came off the 60-day disabled and was called up from Triple-A Columbus. He's 8-1 with a 2.87 ERA in 14 starts.
And the Yankees surely figured they could count on him in October, too, when he's been at his best in the past. The right-hander is 9-3 with a 2.51 ERA in 16 career postseason games.
The Yankees, looking for their seventh consecutive AL East title, led Boston by three games with six remaining going into Tuesday night. Both teams already clinched at least a wild-card spot.
Hernandez lost his last outing against Toronto and threw a season-high 123 pitches, but Torre said he could have pitched Tuesday if needed.
El Duque was agitated as he answered questions and insisted he wasn't concerned about his shoulder.
"I think it's normal in the recuperation of the arm, and in a couple of days I'll be fine," he said through a translator.
But when asked whether he would be starting Tuesday night if it were a playoff game, an agitated Hernandez replied: "I don't know my future."
That doesn't inspire much confidence.
Mike Mussina (12-9) will start the first game Wednesday against Twins ace Johan Santana (20-6) in a potential playoff preview. Jon Lieber (13-8), who had been pushed up to pitch Tuesday in place of Hernandez, will go in Game 2 against Kyle Lohse (8-11).
It will be the first doubleheader for Minnesota since 2001.
"We haven't even had a delay (this year), I don't think. Pretty amazing," manager Ron Gardenhire said.
The AL Central-champion Twins also have some decisions to make about their playoff rotation, but they're not worried about injuries.
Santana, Brad Radke and Carlos Silva will get the ball in the first three games. The biggest question is whether to use Santana on three days' rest in a possible Game 4.
"If it's do or die, I guarantee you he's pitching," Gardenhire said.
The Twins also hope to secure home-field advantage in the first round.
"It's important," Gardenhire said. "We can't kill our players, we can't kill our pitchers, but we're trying really hard, we're playing really hard."
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A tired right shoulder was going to prevent El Duque from making his scheduled start Tuesday night, but New York's game against the Minnesota Twins was postponed by rain. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Now Hernandez, who had surgery on the shoulder in May 2003, is not expected to pitch again until at least Thursday or Friday. If he's still ailing heading into the postseason, an already shaky and old Yankees rotation could be in major trouble.
"It's always worrisome when your pitchers have trouble and you start the playoffs next week," manager Joe Torre said. "Right now, we obviously take the healthiest people and the most qualified people."
Javier Vazquez has struggled badly down the stretch, and 39-year-old Kevin Brown just missed three weeks after breaking his non-pitching hand when he punched a clubhouse wall on Sept. 3.
Brown returned Sunday at Fenway Park and was tattooed by the rival Red Sox, giving up four runs and six hits in the first inning. He was chased after getting only two outs — now he might wind up in the bullpen when October rolls around.
Hernandez, believed to be 38, has been New York's best starter since July 11, when he came off the 60-day disabled and was called up from Triple-A Columbus. He's 8-1 with a 2.87 ERA in 14 starts.
And the Yankees surely figured they could count on him in October, too, when he's been at his best in the past. The right-hander is 9-3 with a 2.51 ERA in 16 career postseason games.
The Yankees, looking for their seventh consecutive AL East title, led Boston by three games with six remaining going into Tuesday night. Both teams already clinched at least a wild-card spot.
Hernandez lost his last outing against Toronto and threw a season-high 123 pitches, but Torre said he could have pitched Tuesday if needed.
El Duque was agitated as he answered questions and insisted he wasn't concerned about his shoulder.
"I think it's normal in the recuperation of the arm, and in a couple of days I'll be fine," he said through a translator.
But when asked whether he would be starting Tuesday night if it were a playoff game, an agitated Hernandez replied: "I don't know my future."
That doesn't inspire much confidence.
Mike Mussina (12-9) will start the first game Wednesday against Twins ace Johan Santana (20-6) in a potential playoff preview. Jon Lieber (13-8), who had been pushed up to pitch Tuesday in place of Hernandez, will go in Game 2 against Kyle Lohse (8-11).
It will be the first doubleheader for Minnesota since 2001.
"We haven't even had a delay (this year), I don't think. Pretty amazing," manager Ron Gardenhire said.
The AL Central-champion Twins also have some decisions to make about their playoff rotation, but they're not worried about injuries.
Santana, Brad Radke and Carlos Silva will get the ball in the first three games. The biggest question is whether to use Santana on three days' rest in a possible Game 4.
"If it's do or die, I guarantee you he's pitching," Gardenhire said.
The Twins also hope to secure home-field advantage in the first round.
"It's important," Gardenhire said. "We can't kill our players, we can't kill our pitchers, but we're trying really hard, we're playing really hard."
Fox Sports
