Down goes Karstens

[jacksonianmarch]

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Six runs were already in for the Tigers on Sunday when Todd Pratt took a seat next to starting pitcher Jeff Karstens, trying to figure out how to handle the next turn of Detroit's potent lineup.

 

Before Pratt could get into specific details for Sean Casey, Ivan Rodriguez and Brandon Inge in the third inning, Karstens interrupted his catcher. The Yankees now had much larger problems to contend with.

 

"Man, I'm hurting," Karstens told Pratt, pointing to his stiff right elbow.

 

"I've got to tell Gator [pitching coach Ron Guidry]," Pratt replied. "There's no reason to be a hero."

 

Karstens, 24, could have wrapped up his candidacy for the Yankees' fifth rotation spot with a solid effort on Sunday, but instead left Joker Marchant Stadium having secured an appointment on Monday in a Tampa, Fla., doctor's office.

 

Though Guidry said he saw nothing out of the ordinary in Karsten's pregame bullpen session, Karstens admitted he was never able to get loose. He continued to throw anyway, hoping his stiffness might evaporate by the time he reached the mound.

 

It never did. Karstens threw 46 pitches in a two-inning appearance, allowing six runs and six hits -- including a three-run home run to former Yankee Gary Sheffield -- before finally coming clean on his condition.

 

"I didn't want to push it too much and have something really [bad] happen," Karstens said.

 

Pratt also caught Karstens in his previous start against the Blue Jays last Monday in Dunedin, when the right-hander surrendered four runs in 4 1/3 innings -- the first rocky effort of the spring for Karstens, who opened camp with the equivalent of a complete-game shutout, striking out nine and walking none in nine innings.

 

"He basically had the same stuff [sunday] he had in Dunedin," Pratt said. "I haven't really caught him when he was dealing. He couldn't make a difference. He basically didn't have the control that I've heard he has. It looked like he was forcing some pitches."

 

With the Yankees' preparations for the regular season nearing completion, Karstens said it would be disappointing if he learned of a setback this late in camp, but said he understood the situation.

 

"If I'm not 100 percent healthy, I can't really help them anyway," Karstens said. "Anytime you've got something wrong, it kind of worries you a little bit."

 

Just saw this little gem on another website. The quote is from the Post I believe.

 

With Karstens and Wang down, and with Pettitte likely needing a week as well as Mussina refusing to pitch on short rest this early, the opening day starter looks to be......... gulp....... Carl Pavano.

 

Karstens injury could be something very serious, especially when I hear the words painful elbow. This likely moves Rasner into the 5 hole and thins out the yankee depth. They are desperately trying to stem the tide in bringing up Hughes. The good thing is, Wang is expected back by the 3rd or 4th week of April, so that likely means only 2 starts for Rasner as the 5 until the original rotation is back intact. This rash of injuries shows you how important depth is. Rasner and Karstens are good 5th starter options and the depth in AAA is damn good. If this happened to the sox, Gabbard and Pauley would be hitting the rotation, you better hope it doesnt.

[TheKilo]

Just saw this little gem on another website. The quote is from the Post I believe.

 

With Karstens and Wang down, and with Pettitte likely needing a week as well as Mussina refusing to pitch on short rest this early, the opening day starter looks to be......... gulp....... Carl Pavano.

 

Karstens injury could be something very serious, especially when I hear the words painful elbow. This likely moves Rasner into the 5 hole and thins out the yankee depth. They are desperately trying to stem the tide in bringing up Hughes. The good thing is, Wang is expected back by the 3rd or 4th week of April, so that likely means only 2 starts for Rasner as the 5 until the original rotation is back intact. This rash of injuries shows you how important depth is. Rasner and Karstens are good 5th starter options and the depth in AAA is damn good. If this happened to the sox, Gabbard and Pauley would be hitting the rotation, you better hope it doesnt.

 

Hansack would see the mound before Gabbard and Pauley. I find it funny you throw in the obligatory shot at the Sox at the end, too.

 

I think we know all about rotation injuries from last year.

[CrespoBlows]

Hansack would see the mound before Gabbard and Pauley. I find it funny you throw in the obligatory shot at the Sox at the end, too.

 

I think we know all about rotation injuries from last year.

 

Before last year, I'd probably be pissed off at the shot, but the front office doesn't seem to remember what happen last year anyway.

 

Good god, if ONE starter gets hurt, Tavarez is a fixture in our rotation. Jason Johnson was probably a better solution.

[TheKilo]

Before last year, I'd probably be pissed off at the shot, but the front office doesn't seem to remember what happen last year anyway.

 

Good god, if ONE starter gets hurt, Tavarez is a fixture in our rotation. Jason Johnson was probably a better solution.

 

I'm not saying what he's saying isn't true. I wish Papelbon was still in the rotation.

 

It's just funny he has to include it when Yankee pitchers are dropping left and right.

[CrespoBlows]

I'm not saying what he's saying isn't true. I wish Papelbon was still in the rotation.

 

It's just funny he has to include it when Yankee pitchers are dropping left and right.

 

 

I agree.

[jacksonianmarch]

btw, a case could be made that Hansack should be your 5th.

[Gom]

I'm in line to pitch the fifth game of the season. My two-seamer is really cooking at about 68 miles an hour. Wait till you see my changeup.

[Gom]

Enough of this Philip Hughes ********. Bring the kid up, and make him this year's version of Jaret Wright. Limit him to six innings a start. Big deal, he has to face the fire sooner or later.

 

I'm not all that high on this guy anyways. I see him as a solid major league pitcher, but never a star or a number one.

[jacksonianmarch]

Enough of this Philip Hughes ********. Bring the kid up, and make him this year's version of Jaret Wright. Limit him to six innings a start. Big deal, he has to face the fire sooner or later.

 

I'm not all that high on this guy anyways. I see him as a solid major league pitcher, but never a star or a number one.

 

Gom, the guy we saw in the broadcasts on the YES channel is not the guy he will become. i too was a bit perturbed by his lack of velocity, but the only game saw of him was his first one. I am reading reports that his last ST game, he was hitting 91-93 and in his first AAA ST game he was in the 94-95 range which is his max. It was ST, his velocity wasnt there when we saw him. I am interested in seeing him this yr. And if you look at his numbers, they are out of this world. Dont sell him short.

[TheKilo]

Gom' date=' the guy we saw in the broadcasts on the YES channel is not the guy he will become. i too was a bit perturbed by his lack of velocity, but the only game saw of him was his first one. I am reading reports that his last ST game, he was hitting 91-93 and in his first AAA ST game he was in the 94-95 range which is his max. It was ST, his velocity wasnt there when we saw him. I am interested in seeing him this yr. And if you look at his numbers, they are out of this world. Dont sell him short.[/quote']

 

Yeah man, don't sell him short like Jacko does with Lester.

[jacksonianmarch]

Lester never had Hughes velocity or command.

[ORS]

Yeah man' date=' don't sell him short like Jacko does with Lester.[/quote']

Oh, I wouldn't say that about Jacko. He's pointed out a lot stuff to support his argument, but he hasn't been completely forthright. He did forget to mention the most important aspect of all. If you will notice the next time Lester pitches, he has the following letters on his jersey: R-E-D S-O-X. I hope that helps.

[jacksonianmarch]

Oh' date=' I wouldn't say that about Jacko. He's pointed out a lot stuff to support his argument, but he hasn't been completely forthright. He did forget to mention the most important aspect of all. If you will notice the next time Lester pitches, he has the following letters on his jersey: R-E-D S-O-X. I hope that helps.[/quote']

 

Obviously I am biased as are all of us. But I think Lester's track record speaks for itself. He walks a lot of batters. Last yr his stuff spoke for itself. After chemo, he is likely to be evern further behind. He needs to get his velocity up and his command back before he is ready.

[riverside sluggers]

Obviously I am biased as are all of us. But I think Lester's track record speaks for itself. He walks a lot of batters. Last yr his stuff spoke for itself. After chemo' date=' he is likely to be evern further behind. He needs to get his velocity up and his command back before he is ready.[/quote']

 

What track record? His 2005 season in Double A portland he walked 57 batters in 148.1 innings while striking out 163

[jacksonianmarch]

that is still 3.5 walks per 9 in the minors, something too high for a guy without lights out stuff. It also happened to be the lowest of any stop in his career. He is typically closer to 4, which is way too much for a guy without solid plus pitches. He needs refinement.

[ORS]

Before last year his BB/9 trend was....

 

3.74

3.69

3.48

 

He had a bad year that broke the trend, but he'll improve. There aren't "typical" levels for developing pitchers because, well, they are developing.

[riverside sluggers]

that is still 3.5 walks per 9 in the minors' date=' something too high for a guy without lights out stuff. It also happened to be the lowest of any stop in his career. He is typically closer to 4, which is way too much for a guy without solid plus pitches. He needs refinement.[/quote']

 

Youre saying that he doesnt have any solid plus pitches? I guess he just got lucky through out the minors posting sub 3 ERA's in the process

[jacksonianmarch]

Youre saying that he doesnt have any solid plus pitches? I guess he just got lucky through out the minors posting sub 3 ERA's in the process

 

I should have said plus plus pitches. He has a plus curve and from some scouting reports a plus heater. He doesnt have plus location though. My bad.

[Gom]

They both suck. Hughes and Lester. Screw them. I hope the Yankees trade Hughes for Santana at the All-Star break.

[Mr Crunchy]

then i will drive to minneappolis and kill carl pohlad for the sake of the good people in minnesota and baseballs general health

if they try me in minny or boston there isnt a jury alive that would convict me

the only place a conviction is possible is ft lauderdale tampa or the bronx

 

i thought phil hughes was a sure fire 15-18 game winner??

[Gom]

Jacks thinks so. I think he is EXTREMELY OVER-RATED. Hughes and Sanchez for Santana. YEAH BABY!

[jacksonianmarch]

then i will drive to minneappolis and kill carl pohlad for the sake of the good people in minnesota and baseballs general health

if they try me in minny or boston there isnt a jury alive that would convict me

the only place a conviction is possible is ft lauderdale tampa or the bronx

 

i thought phil hughes was a sure fire 15-18 game winner??

 

Gom has never been very rational.

[jacksonianmarch]

Jacks thinks so. I think he is EXTREMELY OVER-RATED. Hughes and Sanchez for Santana. YEAH BABY!

 

what makes you say that. His EXTENSIVE Spring training experience.

[TheKilo]

Santana is not going anywhere.

[jacksonianmarch]

for this yr. I expect him to be dealt this offseason.

[Mr Crunchy]

not yet he aint

minny has been competetive and if liriano and radke stayed healthy they had a pop last year

[jacksonianmarch]

yes they did. But Radke is toast and Liriano will be back to form in Santana's first yr of his new contract.

[Mr Crunchy]

is there an owner with more personal bank than pohlad??

what an *******

minny must be longing for the salad says of calvin griffith

[example1]

First of all, Santana isn't going anywhere. What a STUPID discussion. You guys should feel lucky to get a guy like Dontrelle Willis via a trade for Hughes and sanchez, not Santana. Would you have traded Mariano Rivera 6 years ago for ANYTHING? I doubt it. Santana is MLB's best pitcher. The Twins are inclined to spend more money now (thanks to the refined CBA) and they have a solid young nucleus. You think they're going to sell that all for a pitching staff who is coming off a completely missed season and a young guy like Garza?

 

second, the Sox have plenty of pitching options that won't require Gabbard or Snyder to come into the picture until pretty late. Tavarez, Hansack, Lester would all get a shot first.

 

Of course all of this is moot, so I would ask that people go back and remember that it is the YANKEES who are dealing with pitching injuries, not the Sox. If the yankees collapse this season due to injuries make sure to blame the FO's inneptitude and the lacks of the players who DO play, rather than the injuries themselves.

[jacksonianmarch]

the yankees have far more depth in the pitching department than the sox do. If the yankees fail due to pitching injuries/ineffectiveness, then it isnt the FO's problem. They loaded the minors and gave Torre 7 starting pitchers from day 1.