Wang to DL
Chien-Ming Wang is headed to the disabled list with a Grade 1 hamstring pull (the least severe grade). Terrible news for the Yankees, for whom he was perhaps going to be the Opening Day starter. The target date for him to return is late April.
Wang said, "I'm very, very sad. I hope it will get better and I can go back to New York."
Wang sustained the hamstring pull yesterday while running for conditioning. The Yankees initially called it a cramp, but they must not have believed that. They sent him for an MRI yesterday afternoon. Wang said he felt it pop at the time.
GM Brian Cashman said: "You don't want something like this to happen, but unfortunately, it does happen."
Wang's replacement in the rotation will come from within the team, almost certainly Jeff Karstens. Cashman said they would not look outside and do not need to, that it is a "short-term need."
*Other injury news -- right-hander Jose Veras underwent surgery Thursday to remove bone spurs in his right elbow. He is expected to be out 2-3 months. Veras said he had been pitching with pain for two years.
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Comments (1)
And once again, this is why it makes no sense to give away a pitcher just because we as fans may not like him. The Yankees started the spring with a surplus of starters and already may start the season without Wang and Pettitte.