KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Dr. James Andrews and Dr. Stuart Hershon still have to put their eyes on the MRI exam taken yesterday of Jorge Posada’s right shoulder. Nevertheless, the preliminary report is the Yankees’ All-Star catcher has nothing more than a strain in the hinge and will not have to be put on the disabled list.
“I am really happy it’s not bad,” said Posada, who feared the disabled list was a destination after he came out of Tuesday night’s 5-2 loss to the Royals at Kauffman Stadium what he described as a dead arm. “It’s good news it’s not worse.”
Posada’s MRI exam was read by Royals’ team doctor Steve Joyce. It will be shipped to Andrews, a shoulder expert, and Hershon, the Yankees’ team doctor.
Posada, whose swing isn’t affected, took batting practice and fielded ground balls at first base during batting practice last night, but avoided throwing.
Though the Yankees have their fingers firmly crossed Posada will be able to play by Friday night in Boston – a long shot at this point – they decided yesterday Wilson Betemit and shortstop weren’t an ideal marriage with Derek Jeter out at least until Friday with a strained left quadricep. So, they elevated slick-fielding, light-hitting Alberto Gonzalez from Scranton/Wilke-Barre (Triple-A), and he started at short in last night’s 4-0 loss to the Royals. In addition to lacking range at short, Betemit had fanned in six of his last eight at-bats.
In order to make room for Gonzalez, who was batting .154 (2-for-13) in the International League, the Yankees optioned Shelley Duncan to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Because Morgan Ensberg’s left ankle is hurting, he was a candidate to be put on the DL but avoided such a move. Betemit is out of options. Ensberg would have to agree to an option since he has five-plus years of service time and Duncan has three options remaining.
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Girardi met briefly with his players before batting practice last night. “I wanted to clear up some game situations,” Girardi said. “Things happen and you want to make sure people are in the right places at the right time. It was nothing earth shattering.”
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LHP Andy Pettitte (0-1; 5.40) finishes the three-game series against the Royals tonight. LHP John Bale (0-1; 5.68) goes for the hosts.