Down goes Karstens - Talksox

jacksonianmarch · 03-26-2007, 09:15 AM

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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 · 03-26-2007, 10:44 AM

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Originally Posted by jacksonianmarch

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 · 03-26-2007, 10:47 AM

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Originally Posted by TheKilo

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 · 03-26-2007, 10:50 AM

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Originally Posted by CrespoBlows

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 · 03-26-2007, 10:54 AM

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Originally Posted by TheKilo

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 · 03-26-2007, 11:30 AM

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

Gom · 03-26-2007, 11:42 AM

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 · 03-26-2007, 11:45 AM

Enough of this Philip Hughes bullshit. 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 · 03-26-2007, 11:47 AM

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Originally Posted by Gom

Enough of this Philip Hughes bullshit. 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 · 03-26-2007, 01:51 PM

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Originally Posted by jacksonianmarch

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.

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

jacksonianmarch · 03-26-2007, 02:01 PM

Lester never had Hughes velocity or command.

One Red Seat · 03-26-2007, 02:02 PM

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Originally Posted by TheKilo

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

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 · 03-26-2007, 02:08 PM

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Originally Posted by One Red Seat

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.

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 · 03-26-2007, 06:14 PM

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Originally Posted by jacksonianmarch

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.

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

jacksonianmarch · 03-26-2007, 08:02 PM

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.