courtesy of: http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseb...0216,0,4448701.story?coll=ny-sports-headlines
Pavano hurting again
Recurring back pain to keep him off mound for at least 10 days
TAMPA, Fla. -- The Yankees officially open spring training when pitchers and catchers report today, yet they already have their first injury concern.
Yesterday, the team told Carl Pavano, coming off a disappointing, injury-plagued first season in pinstripes, that a back specialist has recommended he should not throw off a mound for 10 to 14 days, putting his status for Opening Day in question.
Dr. Robert Watkins examined Pavano last Wednesday in Los Angeles. His written recommendation, which the Yankees received Tuesday, said Pavano should spend the next two weeks undergoing a back-strengthening program.
Pavano can still throw on flat ground, as he did yesterday for the fourth time this week, but the Yankees want him to follow Watkins' advice to keep his back from getting worse, especially after Pavano recently revealed that it bothered him all of last year.
That was news to the Yankees. General manager Brian Cashman said yesterday that Pavano complained about back stiffness only once last year, during spring training. But Pavano now believes his back problem contributed to the right shoulder discomfort that eventually ended his season.
Pavano's radar readings were down all season and he tired in games earlier than usual. He made his last start for the Yankees June 27 and was shut down for good in August. Yesterday, he said he regretted not having his back injury healed last spring.
"That's why I'm taking the right approach now," Pavano said. "Last year I came into a situation where you want to impress with all the expectations and you try to be a hero, but look where it got me. So why let history repeat itself and make that mistake again? Let's do the right thing now, move forward, put it behind us and keep going."
Pavano told the Yankees last week that his back felt stiff after a throwing session, causing them to send him west to see Watkins. Pavano said yesterday that the stiffness is on the lower left side of his back, his landing side, where he felt it last season.
"It kind of locks up everything and makes it hard to push off and land," said Pavano, who at 30 is entering the second season of a four-year, $39.95-million contract. " ... Last year was a battle from the get-go."
Cashman declined to be specific about the injury, saying only that it's not a structural issue. This latest development also hurts any chance of trading Pavano, who must prove he can still be the pitcher who went 18-8 with a 3.00 ERA in 2221/3 innings for the Marlins in 2004.
Pavano will be at least two weeks behind the rest of the Yankees' starters. When Cashman was asked if Pavano's status for the start of the season is in question, he paused and said, "We'll see. I haven't mapped it out yet."
Pavano said, "That's a long ways ... I don't expect this to go forever."
Manager Joe Torre added, "When he's ready, we'll be ready. If it has to be after the season starts, schedule-wise we don't need a starter for two weeks, anyway."
So at least for now, the Yankees no longer have to think about which of their six starters coming into camp will have to start the season in the bullpen. If Pavano was healthy, however, Torre said he will always be a part of his rotation.
"Let's put it this way," Torre said. "When he's healthy, he's a starter."
When Pavano will be healthy, though, is unknown.
"Things like this happen, you know," Pavano said. "If you want to move forward and keep playing, you have to make the adjustments. This is one of those times."
Pavano hurting again
Recurring back pain to keep him off mound for at least 10 days
TAMPA, Fla. -- The Yankees officially open spring training when pitchers and catchers report today, yet they already have their first injury concern.
Yesterday, the team told Carl Pavano, coming off a disappointing, injury-plagued first season in pinstripes, that a back specialist has recommended he should not throw off a mound for 10 to 14 days, putting his status for Opening Day in question.
Dr. Robert Watkins examined Pavano last Wednesday in Los Angeles. His written recommendation, which the Yankees received Tuesday, said Pavano should spend the next two weeks undergoing a back-strengthening program.
Pavano can still throw on flat ground, as he did yesterday for the fourth time this week, but the Yankees want him to follow Watkins' advice to keep his back from getting worse, especially after Pavano recently revealed that it bothered him all of last year.
That was news to the Yankees. General manager Brian Cashman said yesterday that Pavano complained about back stiffness only once last year, during spring training. But Pavano now believes his back problem contributed to the right shoulder discomfort that eventually ended his season.
Pavano's radar readings were down all season and he tired in games earlier than usual. He made his last start for the Yankees June 27 and was shut down for good in August. Yesterday, he said he regretted not having his back injury healed last spring.
"That's why I'm taking the right approach now," Pavano said. "Last year I came into a situation where you want to impress with all the expectations and you try to be a hero, but look where it got me. So why let history repeat itself and make that mistake again? Let's do the right thing now, move forward, put it behind us and keep going."
Pavano told the Yankees last week that his back felt stiff after a throwing session, causing them to send him west to see Watkins. Pavano said yesterday that the stiffness is on the lower left side of his back, his landing side, where he felt it last season.
"It kind of locks up everything and makes it hard to push off and land," said Pavano, who at 30 is entering the second season of a four-year, $39.95-million contract. " ... Last year was a battle from the get-go."
Cashman declined to be specific about the injury, saying only that it's not a structural issue. This latest development also hurts any chance of trading Pavano, who must prove he can still be the pitcher who went 18-8 with a 3.00 ERA in 2221/3 innings for the Marlins in 2004.
Pavano will be at least two weeks behind the rest of the Yankees' starters. When Cashman was asked if Pavano's status for the start of the season is in question, he paused and said, "We'll see. I haven't mapped it out yet."
Pavano said, "That's a long ways ... I don't expect this to go forever."
Manager Joe Torre added, "When he's ready, we'll be ready. If it has to be after the season starts, schedule-wise we don't need a starter for two weeks, anyway."
So at least for now, the Yankees no longer have to think about which of their six starters coming into camp will have to start the season in the bullpen. If Pavano was healthy, however, Torre said he will always be a part of his rotation.
"Let's put it this way," Torre said. "When he's healthy, he's a starter."
When Pavano will be healthy, though, is unknown.
"Things like this happen, you know," Pavano said. "If you want to move forward and keep playing, you have to make the adjustments. This is one of those times."
