Posted September 9, 200519 yr not totally new, but i didn't see it posted... Yankees Notebook: Wang's return bumps Leiter Wednesday, September 07, 2005 BY COLIN STEPHENSON Star-Ledger Staff NEW YORK -- Chien-Ming Wang's return from the disabled list bumped inconsistent lefty Al Leiter from the starting rotation, with the team announcing Wang will start tomorrow night's series finale against Tampa Bay and Aaron Small will go in the weekend series opener against the Boston Red Sox on Friday night. "We figured once we made the decision to bring him up we might as well start him," manager Joe Torre said about Wang. "Obviously, Al (Leiter) had no problem. The good reports we had on Wang was his stuff and how he feels, his recovery." Wang, who went on the DL July 13 with inflammation of his right (pitching) shoulder, said he "feels good," and pronounced himself 100 percent healthy. His velocity is the same as it was before he was injured and he is throwing without pain, he said. It was initially feared that Wang (6-3, with a 3.89 ERA), who came up from the minor leagues and turned into Torre's most reliable starting pitcher in the first half of the season, might be lost for the year. But the Yankees decided to treat his injury with rest and rehabilitation instead of surgery, and Wang said yesterday he won't even need surgery in the off-season. Leiter (4-4) was battered for six runs in two-thirds of an inning in his last start, Friday night in Oakland, and Small -- who had gone to the bullpen when Wright came off the DL -- stepped in for Mike Mussina the next day and pitched a shutout, upping his record to 6-0 with the Yanks' 7-0 victory. Two weeks ago, on the last homestand, Leiter told Torre he'd accept an assignment to the bullpen if Torre gave it to him. "I said I would do anything," Leiter said. "I'm just glad to be here, truthfully." Robinson Cano, whose error allowed pinch runner Joey Gathright to score the winning run, took responsibility for not making the play. "It took a funny hop, but I should have caught that ball," he said. After he picked the ball up, he threw home, but pitcher Mariano Rivera cut the ball off, and started a rundown play that got Julio Lugo, who hit the grounder, for the second out of the inning. Carl Pavano, another injured pitcher, was also around the clubhouse before the game, though he likely will not pitch the rest of the season. "The team gave me the option (to leave the minor-league complex in Tampa, Fla., and rejoin the big club). And of course, I want to be with the team," Pavano said. Pavano, who has been on the DL since July 7 (retroactive to June 28) with right shoulder tendinitis, said the "protocol" for treating his injury was to rest for six or seven weeks, which would leave about one week in the regular season. Asked if he would then be a possibility for the postseason, he said, "I don't think it's fair to all the guys that have been here battling, for me to take up a spot. I don't think that's a big possibility at all." http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?...6830.xml&coll=1 Sep. 8 News: Leiter is very positive about his move to the bullpen with the return of Chien-Ming Wang to the Yankees' rotation, the Yankees' official site reports. Spin: "The thing that made it easy to do is the way Al Leiter has opened himself up to anything to help the ballclub," manager Joe Torre said. Leiter himself said, "I thank the Yankees for giving me a chance to end it where it all started...It's all good. I'll be ready." http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=4130 good to see that al is taking it well.
September 9, 200519 yr Asked if he would then be a possibility for the postseason... Way to assume there'll be a postseason for the Yankees. It's far from a foregone conclusion.
September 9, 200519 yr I thought the Yankees fans here said Leiter was doing well. :plain 936478[/snapback] He's pitched better for the Yankees than he has for us for the most part
September 10, 200519 yr He had about 4 good starts - 5 innings 1 run or better, 2 terrible starts - 2 innings 7 runs, and 1 below average start - 5 innings 4 runs. The 5 inning wonder did a great job, as the 5th man in the rotation and for the price the Yankees paid - I will certainly take it. The Yankees literally had no other options, Al really did a solid job. Nice to see Tiger Wang back. Hopefully he can refind the magic.
September 10, 200519 yr Making his bullpen debut for the Yankees. Bases-loaded, one out, Ortiz and then Manny.
September 10, 200519 yr 5.2 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO The hit total is a bit high, but I guess he should have started instead of Chacon today... :confused
September 10, 200519 yr Not exactly getting it done out there. 938063[/snapback] You're right. Against the Red Sox that's f***ing fantastic! 6 IP 1 ER. Yes please.
September 10, 200519 yr He let all those inherited runners score to blow the game open and then settled in after that. It's too bad for the Yanks and him he didn't pitch lights out the whole way today.
September 10, 200519 yr Of course, Felix Rodriguez's bad throw prevented a double play, and had Matsui caught the Ortiz flyout, the inning would have been over. Nonetheless, what's past is past - now they need to go out and win tomorrow.
September 11, 200519 yr Of course, Felix Rodriguez's bad throw prevented a double play, and had Matsui caught the Ortiz flyout, the inning would have been over. Nonetheless, what's past is past - now they need to go out and win tomorrow. 938346[/snapback] Or how about the double play ball Cano threw into the stands? The Red Sox were given about 6 outs that inning. Leiter pitched great throughout - with that horrible defense behind him, anyone would have let those runners score.
September 11, 200519 yr Author Not exactly getting it done out there. 938063[/snapback] You're right. Against the Red Sox that's f***ing fantastic! 6 IP 1 ER. Yes please. 938253[/snapback] :lol :notworthy :notworthy "They only plated 6 of their 9 runs off of him...fantastic!"
September 11, 200519 yr You obviously didn't watch the game. The Yankees committed 2 errors with Leiter on the mound that inning, which you convienently forget about. Only 2 of the inherited runners should have scored - in a bases loaded 1 out situation. Get a clue, tool - not watching the game and then making dumb comments about it is really silly. Stop using smilie faces and pictures to try and hide that you're a clown.
September 12, 200519 yr Author The Yankees committed 2 errors with Leiter on the mound that inning, which you convienently forget about. Only 2 of the inherited runners should have scored - in a bases loaded 1 out situation. Get a clue, tool - not watching the game and then making dumb comments about it is really silly. Stop using smilie faces and pictures to try and hide that you're a clown. 941368[/snapback] I think I hit a nerve. You know, you're right. Al Leiter had a fantastic outing. He really came through when called upon.
September 12, 200519 yr Al Leiter had a fantastic outing. He really came through when called upon. 941403[/snapback] Yes, I'm glad we agree. Enjoy sitting home come October.
September 12, 200519 yr Al Leiter had a fantastic outing.? He really came through when called upon. 941403[/snapback] Yes, I'm glad we agree. Enjoy sitting home come October. 941411[/snapback] We'll be sure to pass you the pork rinds while you're on the couch next to us.
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