Johnny Damon continues to be bothered by various aches and pains. He told me yesterday afternoon that he feels like the disabled list is a real possibility. This time, it's soreness in his rib cage that's a problem.
"I don't know how much longer I can go with my rib," Damon told Newsday. "It's not going to get better with just a day off. You have to swing every day."
Damon said it was slightly worse yesterday than it had been over the weekend. He got into last night's game as part of a double switch in the seventh, going to first base to replace Andy Phillips. Damon struck out to end the game in the ninth. He has been working primarily as a designated hitter recently, with Melky Cabrera in centerfield.
"It doesn't feel very good," Damon said before the game. "It hurts pretty much every swing."
Can't help but wonder if he should have gone on the DL back in April, when back spasms and calf cramps were the problem. He's still never been on the DL in his career.
Comments (30)
One of the main "selling points" on Damon was his durability. While I actually like the attitude he brings to the team, we have definitely not gotten the Damon we were advertised.
Put Damon on the DL right now. He's obviously hurting and isn't helping the team by breing in and out of the lineup, and never knowing what new injury will come up.
I don't care he's never been on the DL before.
Now that we're playing in NL parks for the next 5 games, it makes perfect sense to DL Damon.
I get the feeling Damon is never going to be fully healthy for the remainder of his contract here.
I agree. He's doing more long-term harm to the team if he tries to battle through this stuff. Just rest, get better, and contribute to this team! It's not like we're going to miss his wet-noodle of an arm in the outfield while in the NL Parks. Melky's got that position on lock down.
http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_6182156
“The Yankees have three of the best players in baseball and their payroll is high, so maybe we won’t get any credit, but we don’t need it,” Torrealba said. “All we need to do is keep winning. Our goal is to make the playoffs. I know it’s kind of early to say it, but that’s the goal.”
Only three? Arod,Jeter, Mariano.
I would labeled Damon’s is a bust… He used the Yankees money. He came in camp overweight and out of shape. Cashman is so stupid signing him to four year deal. He can’t throw in the outfield and can’t cover anyground anymore
It nearly been two months, Damon's still whining and nagging about his injury. I don't see him producing for two freaking months.He's battting .250, I thought He's the best leadoffhitter better than Ichiro when He signed. If He wants to be a good teammate, He would ask Joe to place him on Dl..
He 'used the Yankees money'? What in the world does that mean? They signed him to a contract. He did not hold them up at gunpoint or embezzle from their accounts. I don't get it.
as mentioned before - threw giambi on DL...go on 9 game win streak
throw Johnny red sox on DL ("for first time evvvvver") and maybe we can go on another tear.
i think the rest of the boys in the clubhouse realize that once you remove the dead weight, nagging players with continuous injuries, they can concentrate more on who will be out in the field, not what pansies will come off bench.
If Melky can show he can hit a solid .275 it makes Damon expendable.I don't know who would be interested.Damon has been a tremendous disappointment.I don't see Damon as a DH longterm.
Damon needs to heal, so a DL stint will do him good and freshen him up just in time for the playoffs and World Series. Melky played very well last year when he replaced Matsui -- or Shef (I forget which one). Maybe he'll improve with more consistent playing time. I don't think we have too many choices right now anyway.
For those of you interested in the results of Schilling's MRI, they came back normal. In fact, Schilling said he's not even in pain. He just can't explain his lost velocity in the last two games.
Damon and his physical problems all date back to Spring Training. He showed up 15 lbs. overweight, and left camp for several days due to "personal reasons". He has become a "high maintenance" headache for the Yanks. He should be DL'ed so he can commiserate with Giambi. We will be fine without both "part time" players.
Damon should go on the DH, now. Its been long time in coming. Replace him with a healthy body. Healthy bodies should be coming off the bench,especially when the the game is on the line in the 9th inning. I prefer a healthy Phillips as opposed to an illing Johnny Damon.
I in no way believe Johnny Damon has not or will not give 100% of himself. Cashman has signed Damon and Matsui for 4 years at the age of 32. What can you expect from a 33 year old body playing at World Class level. It will break down. This must be expected upon signing by the club. We (Yankees) are the culprits for signing premier named players at advanced ages for long term contracts. In our desperation to fill holes in lineups, the Yankees have been guilty of over reaction to the situations. This is why overreacting to first base with Helton a named aged premier player is wrong. If we can't get Tex then seek another alternative but one which is reasonable.
Lucy: Its called old age. Many players with baseball at 30 teams are staying in the game because of the watering down of talent especially at the pitching position. What purpose does Franco play for the Mets at 48? Make him a coach.
Curt Schilling had a cortisone shot after undergoing an MRI on his shoulder on Tuesday. He doesn't believe he'll pitch on Sunday.
"I had an injection yesterday, so I'm giving it a couple of days here to see how it plays out," Schilling told WEEI-AM on Wednesday. "The best case is that I'll be pitching on Sunday ... but that doesn't seem like that's going to be the case." If Schilling is only going to miss one start, it's less likely that the Red Sox would recall Jon Lester to fill in for him. In that case, Kason Gabbard might be the choice.
Source: RedSox.mlb.com
Larry, what I find baffling about Schilling is that he pitched a near no-hitter three games ago. After the last game, he said he felt fine, no pain, but his delivery and velocity were problematic. Possibly it is an old age phenomenon where you can be great one game and suck the next three or four. I'm perplexed as to why he got a cortisone shot absent the presence of pain. Sometimes it's best to admit you can't win them all rather than look for some outlandish justification for being downright horrible.
I, frankly, am shocked at Damon's attitude. He has never been seriously hurt before he came here, yet he constantly complains about one nagging injury after another. Also, he hasn't been the same happy-go-lucky guy since he left spring traing for a "personal matter". I wonder what's going on with him? He looks like he doesn't want to be here.
//Damon needs to heal, so a DL stint will do him good and freshen him up just in time for the playoffs and World Series//
He hasn't been able to play since Day 1 -- after the entire winter off! I think both these guys have psychosomatic mental problems. Schilling is messed up grieving over his missed opportunity throwing a no hitter and Damon, well I'm in the camp that Damon never really wanted to be here, made a rash decision (or for his wife) and never has been comofrtable with it. Did you see his face last yr when he went to Boston and got booed? He nearly cried.
Delano, that was funny: "Schilling is messed up grieving over his missed opportunity throwing a no hitter."
Maybe some time off will help Damon with his psychological problems as well. Time heals all wounds -- we hope at least for our players it does.
Lucy: My thoughts any pitcher age 35+ should be on a pitch count. Schilling in his quest for the gold has extended himself to the point that his performance has been subpar and may miss his next start. I have no problem with going for the no hitter but Francona now has two losses and a missed start for Schilling's quest for the gold. As we get older, we must adjust to physical limitations. Schilling is lucky that there is no structural damage but taking a shot/mri with no pain seems a bit much for placing blame for the issue of two bad starts. I often wonder why Joe allows Roger to extend toward 110 pitches the last two outings.
Larry, that's a good suggestion about watching the pitch count for older pitchers.
I just hope Roger doesn't over-extend himself straight to the DL.
Speaking of the DL, Schilling is going on it and will miss at least the next two starts. He thinks it might be tendinitis, but my understanding is that tendinitis is accompanied by symptoms. Schilling doesn't appear to have any symptoms to speak of, just a faulty delivery and lack of velocity. It always sounds better when pitchers go on the DL after a few bad starts. Injuries can't be controlled, so it's the perfect excuse. It almost sounds like Francona is trying to convince Schilling that there's something physically wrong while Schilling is in denial. It's all very strange.
I think I'll go to Schilling's site and provide him with a list of the symptoms that accompany tendinitis:
"Tendinitis causes pain over the affected tendon close to where it is inserted into the muscle. The pain is usually worsened with repetitive motion, but it can also be present at rest. There can also be mild swelling over the tendon."
Shoulder tendinitis (or rotator cuff tendinitis):
"Pain initially when the arm is brought forward over the head, severe pain when bringing the arm across the chest."
It doesn't sound like tendinitis to me, Mr. Schilling.
In scanning back I saw where Roy talked about Damon showing up out of shape and leaving camp for personal reasons - an unfair criticism I believe.
This off season Damon and his wife had their first child - as I understand it he left camp to deal with issues related to that child and I don't think it is hard to imagine that he had other things going on this winter to deal with and let his conditioning slip - unfortunate for sure but hardly inexcusible given the circumstances.
Lucy: No injury pain but two bad games back to back after some 10 starts or so. 40 years of age, its time for a vacation 15 day Dl just about right to rejuvenate the arm. The body lets you know it needs a rest.
Johnny may have had a personal problem dealing with the pregnancy of his wife but having dealt with issues of problematic pregnancies if this was the case. It can be done. Not all couples are wealthy and can afford help while johnny exercises but it can be done.
Looks like the Braves want to give the Red Sox 20 runs. Jeez.
Source: Wang is a candidate to go on the DL (neck).
Karma, Yankee fans. A lot of you were very happy when Schill went down, now Wang will join him.
Karma you are such a moron. You are a typical Red Sox fan. Postings were just going on that Schilling was going for an MRI. Now you are making up stuff? What a fool you are
typical redsux fan!!
I guess SATW can't read. We were actually saying that Schilling is NOT injured and surprised that he's going on the DL in light of a positive medical report accompanied by no pain. He's only out for a couple of starts, probably to rest more than anything else. We were discussing age as a factor for not only Schilling, but Clemens as well. Go back to school, Fool.
Lucy - re: Damon's mental problems being helped w/ time off - unless the wife is the problem! LOL I think its safe to assume his "personal problem" leave had to do w/ something like that.