The New York Yankees survived their first scare of spring training: David Robertson’s fluke foot injury.
Joe Girardi and the Yankees were concerned about the injury
being more serious than initially appeared, sending Robertson for a battery of
intensive tests that found only a bone bruise. The prognosis is good, which is
a huge relief for Girardi & Co. He must have been terrified at the thought
of losing his set-up guy when he already has to wait months before he has Joba
Chamberlain back on the pitchers’ mound.
Robertson became a key member of the Yankees bullpen in
2011, posting a 4-0 record, a miniscule 1.08 ERA and an astonishing 100
strikeouts in 66.2 innings pitched. He also showed a poise on the mound reminiscent
of a young Mariano Rivera, although Robertson will have to be more
like Mo by learning to throw his pitches exactly where he wants them and keeping
runners off base so that he doesn’t get into situations that force him to turn
into Houdini.
Since things around the Yankees never move slowly, there was immediate
speculation about who would replace Robertson in the 8th inning if
he went down for an extended period of time. Possible names included Phil
Hughes, which would have temporarily solved the 5th starter riddle.
But none of that is necessary as the bone bruise should not keep Robertson off
the mound for long.
Crisis averted.
No comments:
Post a Comment