Friday, July 21, 2006
Notes: Another setback for Dotel
07/20/2006
TORONTO -- Just when it looked like Octavio Dotel was ready to return from the disabled list and give the Yankees' bullpen a boost, the right-hander suffered another setback on Thursday afternoon, clouding his timetable.
Dotel pitched a scoreless inning for Class A Staten Island, allowing two hits while striking out one against Williamsport. But after the outing, Dotel told special pitching instructor Rich Monteleone that he had what Joe Torre described as "soreness or tenderness" in his right arm.
"He didn't feel like his arm had a lot of pop today," Torre said. "He didn't throw a couple of pitches and say, 'I can't do this.' He pitched his inning, so in my mind, it's nothing more than that he's not ready yet."
General manager Brian Cashman said that Dotel's latest problem is located in the same spot behind his surgically repaired elbow as his last setback, which turned out to be tendinitis. Dotel, who will visit team physician Dr. Stuart Hershon on Friday, had his rehab assignment shut down from June 20 to July 15 when that first problem cropped up.
"We were close enough to get excited, no question," Torre said. "When you go back and think about the type of surgery it was, that's why you're always cautious about how quickly you rehab and bring people along. I know he has to be frustrated by it. We certainly feel for him."
Dotel underwent Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery last June, and the Yankees signed him this winter to a one-year, $2 million contract with the expectations that he would join them sometime in late-June or early-July.
The Yankees were hoping to add Dotel to the mix of late-inning relievers, joining Scott Proctor, Kyle Farnsworth and Ron Villone.
"We were counting on him to show up here on Sunday," Torre said. "Even then, we weren't going to use him in the eighth inning of a close game; but at least it would have been progress. If things went well, he'd eventually wind up in that role. It wasn't to be."
Progress for Matsui: Hideki Matsui visited hand specialist Dr. Melvin Rosenwasser on Thursday, receiving a good report on his surgically repaired left wrist.
Rosenwasser said that Matsui's bones have fused together perfectly, though he is still experiencing lingering muscular pain, which is normal after this surgery. Once that pain subsides, Matsui will be cleared to take batting practice.
"He's doing well," Cashman said. "He's not swinging a bat yet. I'd rather not say when I think he can; we'll just wait until the doctors clear him."
Matsui will travel to Tampa on Friday to resume his rehabilitation at the Yankees' training complex. He may return to New York in the coming weeks for another visit with the doctor. Matsui is targeting a mid-August return to the Yankees.
Gary Sheffield, who is also recovering from left wrist surgery, visited this week with Dr. Charles Melone, also a hand specialist. Sheffield is scheduled to have his cast removed next week, but there is no clear timetable for his return.
"Nothing to report right now," Cashman said. "He's doing well."
Torre said that he hasn't figured out exactly what he will do with Melky Cabrera, Bernie Williams or Aaron Guiel once Matsui and/or Sheffield return, but he isn't worried about that right now.
"When it gets close, we'll figure it out," Torre said. "When Matsui or Sheff is out there taking fly balls, we'll have plenty of time to make that plan."
Posada in action: Jorge Posada returned to the starting lineup on Thursday after missing Wednesday's game with a bruised right index finger, the result of a foul ball in Tuesday's game.
"It doesn't take much to get well with an index finger," Torre said. "An index finger, especially on your throwing hand, once the swelling gets out, you're back in action. Hopefully it will stay that way."
Sid on the way: Sidney Ponson did not travel to Toronto with the Yankees on Wednesday night, as there were complications with his visa to enter Canada.
Ponson, who is from Aruba, was not scheduled to play in Canada this season with the Cardinals, so no paperwork was ever filed for him to obtain a visa.
Ponson threw a bullpen session before the Staten Island game on Thursday and is scheduled to join the Yankees at Rogers Centre on Friday. He will start on Sunday for New York.
One day at a time: Torre will keep a close eye on Alex Rodriguez's sore left toe this weekend, as the Yankees play four games on the artificial turf in Toronto.
Rodriguez said Wednesday that he may not play all four games, but Torre wasn't so quick to back that plan.
"He's going to be written down [in the lineup]," Torre said. "If there's a problem, we'll talk about it. I know this stuff plays havoc on the feet and legs, and I know that thing is still sore. We'll monitor that as we go along."
Source: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/
TORONTO -- Just when it looked like Octavio Dotel was ready to return from the disabled list and give the Yankees' bullpen a boost, the right-hander suffered another setback on Thursday afternoon, clouding his timetable.
Dotel pitched a scoreless inning for Class A Staten Island, allowing two hits while striking out one against Williamsport. But after the outing, Dotel told special pitching instructor Rich Monteleone that he had what Joe Torre described as "soreness or tenderness" in his right arm.
"He didn't feel like his arm had a lot of pop today," Torre said. "He didn't throw a couple of pitches and say, 'I can't do this.' He pitched his inning, so in my mind, it's nothing more than that he's not ready yet."
General manager Brian Cashman said that Dotel's latest problem is located in the same spot behind his surgically repaired elbow as his last setback, which turned out to be tendinitis. Dotel, who will visit team physician Dr. Stuart Hershon on Friday, had his rehab assignment shut down from June 20 to July 15 when that first problem cropped up.
"We were close enough to get excited, no question," Torre said. "When you go back and think about the type of surgery it was, that's why you're always cautious about how quickly you rehab and bring people along. I know he has to be frustrated by it. We certainly feel for him."
Dotel underwent Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery last June, and the Yankees signed him this winter to a one-year, $2 million contract with the expectations that he would join them sometime in late-June or early-July.
The Yankees were hoping to add Dotel to the mix of late-inning relievers, joining Scott Proctor, Kyle Farnsworth and Ron Villone.
"We were counting on him to show up here on Sunday," Torre said. "Even then, we weren't going to use him in the eighth inning of a close game; but at least it would have been progress. If things went well, he'd eventually wind up in that role. It wasn't to be."
Progress for Matsui: Hideki Matsui visited hand specialist Dr. Melvin Rosenwasser on Thursday, receiving a good report on his surgically repaired left wrist.
Rosenwasser said that Matsui's bones have fused together perfectly, though he is still experiencing lingering muscular pain, which is normal after this surgery. Once that pain subsides, Matsui will be cleared to take batting practice.
"He's doing well," Cashman said. "He's not swinging a bat yet. I'd rather not say when I think he can; we'll just wait until the doctors clear him."
Matsui will travel to Tampa on Friday to resume his rehabilitation at the Yankees' training complex. He may return to New York in the coming weeks for another visit with the doctor. Matsui is targeting a mid-August return to the Yankees.
Gary Sheffield, who is also recovering from left wrist surgery, visited this week with Dr. Charles Melone, also a hand specialist. Sheffield is scheduled to have his cast removed next week, but there is no clear timetable for his return.
"Nothing to report right now," Cashman said. "He's doing well."
Torre said that he hasn't figured out exactly what he will do with Melky Cabrera, Bernie Williams or Aaron Guiel once Matsui and/or Sheffield return, but he isn't worried about that right now.
"When it gets close, we'll figure it out," Torre said. "When Matsui or Sheff is out there taking fly balls, we'll have plenty of time to make that plan."
Posada in action: Jorge Posada returned to the starting lineup on Thursday after missing Wednesday's game with a bruised right index finger, the result of a foul ball in Tuesday's game.
"It doesn't take much to get well with an index finger," Torre said. "An index finger, especially on your throwing hand, once the swelling gets out, you're back in action. Hopefully it will stay that way."
Sid on the way: Sidney Ponson did not travel to Toronto with the Yankees on Wednesday night, as there were complications with his visa to enter Canada.
Ponson, who is from Aruba, was not scheduled to play in Canada this season with the Cardinals, so no paperwork was ever filed for him to obtain a visa.
Ponson threw a bullpen session before the Staten Island game on Thursday and is scheduled to join the Yankees at Rogers Centre on Friday. He will start on Sunday for New York.
One day at a time: Torre will keep a close eye on Alex Rodriguez's sore left toe this weekend, as the Yankees play four games on the artificial turf in Toronto.
Rodriguez said Wednesday that he may not play all four games, but Torre wasn't so quick to back that plan.
"He's going to be written down [in the lineup]," Torre said. "If there's a problem, we'll talk about it. I know this stuff plays havoc on the feet and legs, and I know that thing is still sore. We'll monitor that as we go along."
Source: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/
