Girardi Loses it as Streak Ends

The Yankees seven game winning streak came to an end last night, 7-2 to the Blue Jays as Roy Halladay won his 20th game, but all anyone wanted to talk to Joe Girardi about was Mariano Rivera's possible injury.

Earlier in the day it was reported that Rivera, suffering from an "cranky" body, had gone to New York for his standard year end physical. Last night it turned out that Rivera's shoulder was bothering him and he was sent to New York to get it examined and have an MRI done. Even Mrs. MM said there was no way Mo would leave the team early unless he was hurt.

The media pounced on Girardi, who has had a habit all season of stretching the truth concerning the teams injuries, during his post-game press conference. Girardi lashed back, showing some of the attitude that the media in Florida complained about. Peter Abraham has audio of both the pre- and post-game press conferences. Tyler Kepner also discusses Girardi's propensity for lying about injuries.

Apparently the shoulder has been bothering Mo for a while, but he didn't want to say anything until the Yankees were eliminated. Hopefully, the MRI will show no structural damage. George King has more...

On another note, the Carl Pavano era has, thankfully, come to an end. Pavano was knocked out last (surprisingly, not literally). He was knocked out with two away in the fourth after allowing 5 runs. He finishes his 4-year, $39.95 million contract with a 9-8, 5.00 record in 26 starts. Almost half those wins came in the second half of this season.







"The price of 20 wins"

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Footlose

12 Days. That's all it took for Carl Pavano to visit his old pals, X-ray and MRI. On Saturday, Pavano took a line drive off his left instep, off the bat of rookie Alberto Gonzalez, . Though he was able to finish throwing batting practice, the Yankees shut him down for Sunday's workout and sent him for precautionary tests. Pavano is one of several Yankee pitchers who do not throw behind an L screen during BP. Perhaps Brian Cashman should just have an X-ray machine in the same format as an L screen in order to kill two birds with one stone.

Johnny Damon was excused from weekend workouts due to a personal issue. Joe Torre did not know the specifics, but it was originally thought Damon would be out for an extended period of time. He's now expected to return today.

Pavano isn't the only one with some spring training aches and pains. Brian Bruney has been sidelined by back spasms in his rib cage area and Humberto Sanchez has been slowed by tightness in his right forearm. Sanchez has been on the DL 8 times in his young career and had his season ended early last August with elbow problems. Bruney is expected to be shutdown for 4-5 days, while Sanchez is going for a precautionary MRI.

Spring Training Rule #1
All Rookies must walk 2 paces behind the Captain

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