Monday, August 4, 2014

Quick Hit: Masahiro Tanaka Decision Day


What feels just like yesterday we were awaiting the Mark Teixeira decision that would decide whether he would be placed on the disabled list or come back to the big club. Today that same decision looms over the right elbow of Masahiro Tanaka. This decision could not only make or break the 2014 season but the 2015 season as well so there is a lot riding on this decision.

If the Yankees receive bad news today on Tanaka's right elbow then this season is all but over for the 25 year old right hander. There is a small chance that Tanaka's ulnar collateral ligament could heal itself since the tear was well under 10%, unlike Matt Harvey's who was well over the 10% tear, and he may never have to go under the knife. Even if the diagnosis is more rest, more rehab, and another injection in his elbow the season is all but over for Tanaka.

If the Yankees receive good news today than Tanaka could be back in the rotation sometime this month. Tick, tock, tick, tock as we await the news on Tanaka. Stay tuned...

11 comments:

  1. Yanks aren't going anywhere without better pitching and to boot, even Severino is hurt. With Phelps also hurt, the Yanks must get aggressive and make a trade or hope the minors brings a phenomenal call up. Hope Pineda responds and cross your fingers in what be Tanaka day.

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  2. Start stretching Warren out so he can start could also be another key.

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  3. I hear the name Mitchell as the starter from the minors that will help, but he's not a top 20 ranked prospect. Funny, but I see as the other two, ranked eight and nine prospect, that can be summoned to aid at least the pen, as Banuelos and Lindgren. This would be to free up Warren to start, unless you go with Banuelos to start. Clarkin might be too young at 19 and underdeveloped, but in dire times, dire moves are made. If anything I'd let him throw to one batter, then two, and if earned, a third of one inning.

    What happened with all those picks Cashman made on pitchers? The Tanaka decision today will be in how much the Yankees need to get constructive change with the starters now that the position players are in order.

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  4. Severino is barely in Double-A Mr. Rivas. He was not going to be a factor this season regardless. if Robert Refsnyder isn't going to be then Severino definitely won't, pre or post injury.

    You don't want to stretch out Warren, it's far too late for that now. It will take Warren a good month to a month and a half to be fully stretched out to around 100 pitches. That puts you in the early to mid September range. it's way too late by then. Not to mention you take away a reliable arm from the bullpen that we don't have the luxury of doing. And finally you also continue to run the bullpen into the ground when Warren is only going two or three innings while he is being stretched out. If this were April, sure. It's August. Warren is our 7th inning guy.

    You knock Bryan Mitchell for not being a Top 20 guy.. so what? Shane Greene wasn't until maybe when he wen't off in the Trenton playoffs last season. David Phelps never really was. Adam Warren never really was either. Chase Whitley definitely wasn't. David Robertson never was. Dellin Betances never was as a starter. They all still contribute in the major leagues.

    The Yankees have stated that Banuelos isn't coming up this year. It sucks and it's probably not the right plan but it is what it is. If Lindgren comes up it will be in September. Clarkin is basically in his first professional season.. not happening. If he was a polished college arm, sure, but he's not.

    We're in trouble and I don't think the Yankees have what we need to fix it.

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    1. Severino in AA was no problem when healthy, wouldn't be the first or last to make a jump to the top, especially since it could had been to finish his season in the pen. It could had also limited his innings of starting and injury.

      Warren stretching out should had started when Phelps started barking a few starts ago and thus, almost completed with returning Phelps to the pen.

      Mitchell not a top 20 is no lie and I'm not concern about that, he needs to be in the mix also due injuries. Also in the mix should be Banuelos and Lindgren, if for anything, to give the pen a rest and to wet their feet. See how it go, you never know, turning bad into good could result.

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  5. I think the Yankees have what it takes to fix it, it's not over till it's over, that includes games and the season. Yanks need to be proactive and at least see what you have moving forward.

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    1. I think they have what it takes but I think it's just too late this season. We still have too much dead weight in Ichiro and others to really make a move. The Yankees aren't going to simply DFA Ichiro like they did Roberts.

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  6. The guys that you speak of making the jump from AA to the majors had more then two starts in AA when they did it, that is the difference.

    I'm sorry I don't agree with taking from your only strength on the team and making it average. And why would the Yankees stretch our Warren when Phelps threw two stellar starts with the inflammation and was great through 4 IP in Texas before giving it up in one inning. Phelps is not an ace and has pitched well above his expectations, with or without the inflammation.

    Lindgren is a reliever only. Banuelos could be a starter and I have called for it this season but Brian Cashman said it's unlikely, he makes the final call. Call Mitchell up, see what he can do.

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  7. There's always a first and before I give up, I'd have a starter from AA and ninth prospect in the pen.

    Warren would had thrown his two stellar starts while Warren stretched out from the pen and properly around ready to start as Phelps would be down and going to the pen to cut down on innings pitched.

    Lindgren is a reliever and that's good enough as Banuelos is a starter that could end his season in the pen to help out or maybe start if he did good enough.

    Cashman needs to be more proactive.

    Call Mitchell into the picture also, with all the injuries, Cashman should think more resourcefully, proactively adopting within the organizations talent base and scheming waiver trade or two to fix what is obviously leaking.

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    1. I have a post just for you scheduled for tomorrow regarding Mr. Mitchell and replacing David Phelps.

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  8. I meant Phelps would had thrown his two Stellar starts...

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