Maxman Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 Jorge Posada targets opener BY ANTHONY McCARRON DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER Thursday, January 15th 2009, 10:24 AM Snyder/Reuters Yankees think Jorge Posada is on target for Opening Day after shoulder surgery last season. Related News Articles Yankees take a swing at Assemblyman Richard Brodsky Bombers send out invites Harper: With football season sacked, pastime kicks off early The Yankees are optimistic that Jorge Posada's surgically repaired shoulder will be healthy enough for him to catch on Opening Day. But, GM Brian Cashman says, "It's so early. So far his rehab is going well, but he started his throwing program Dec. 8." One thing's for sure, though, Cashman said - Posada will not be playing for his native Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic in March. ESPN deportes recently reported that Posada's father said his son would DH for Puerto Rico in the tournament. "He wouldn't be able to perform," Cashman said. "He won't start on time as a catcher in spring training. It's just a fact. There's nothing I can do about it or the player can do about it. We're hoping to have Jorge by Opening Day, but he will not be the opening spring training catcher, I can tell you that. "He's going to come in with restrictions and we'll bring him along slowly." Posada's rehab is vital to the Yankees' 2009 hopes. They have added $423.5 million worth of talent in pitchers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett and first baseman Mark Teixeira, but their season could change drastically if Posada cannot prove that his shoulder is healthy enough for him to be the everyday catcher. Two Yankees are committed to the WBC so far, Cashman said - Alex Rodriguez will play for the Dominican Republic and Derek Jeter will play for Team USA. Players such as Johnny Damon have expressed public interest in playing. Mariano Rivera, recovering from shoulder surgery to remove calcification in his right shoulder, will not play for his native Panama, Cashman said. The Yankees are hopeful Rivera will be ready to start the season. "We support the event," Cashman said of the WBC. "I'm sure (Posada) wants to play and if he could, he would. But, just like last season for us, he wasn't able to play because of an injury." Posada, 37, played in only 51 games last season because of his shoulder injury, batting .268 with three homers and 22 RBI in 168 at-bats. The Yankees point to his absence as a major factor in their third-place finish in the AL East. Posada has been working out at the Yankees' player development complex in Tampa and has experienced no setbacks. While the Yankees have been saying all along they were hopeful Posada would be ready when they open the season in Baltimore April 6, Cashman acknowledged the Bombers are in uncharted waters. "That's what everybody says when you go through these things, that the player will be ready by Opening Day," Cashman said. "We've never really had to rehab a catcher before." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackout Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 JORGE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otter Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Hope to see more of his wife this year. Hip Hip Jorge! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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