Pavano's elbow problems worsen in this 'ridiculous' injury saga

Carl's elbow problems worsen in this 'ridiculous' injury saga

BY MARK FEINSAND
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Thursday, May 3rd 2007

ARLINGTON - Carl Pavano could be headed from the trainer's table to the operating room after shutting down his latest bullpen session because of pain in his right elbow.

Pavano threw on a mound yesterday for the second time since being sidelined with a muscle strain in his elbow, but the session was cut short after the oft-injured pitcher reported discomfort in his arm. According to Pavano, his elbow feels worse than it did when the injury first hit him on April 10.

"This has become ridiculous," Pavano said. "The team needs me. This is beyond frustrating. I don't have much more to say; I think I've completely exhausted everything over the last couple of years.

"I wish I had better news, I wish I could be going out there and helping these guys, especially at this time when guys are going down. It just hasn't worked that way."

Pavano had been shut down for almost two weeks following the initial injury, progressing to long-tossing. He threw a bullpen session last Sunday, reporting no problems, so yesterday's setback was a surprise for both him and Joe Torre.

"The rest didn't help it," Pavano said. "It's frustrating for everyone. We tried to come up with a plan that would work, but it fell short."

"He was bothered," Torre said. "I don't know what the next step is. Right now, he had to stop."

Pavano's next step will be a visit to Dr. James Andrews, the renowned orthopedist, in Birmingham, Ala. Andrews has twice performed surgery to remove bone chips from Pavano's elbow, first in 2000 and again last year.

"I think I need to see Dr. Andrews. It's possible there's another step I need to do," Pavano said. "I've had elbow problems before, but this is definitely something new to me. Whether rest is going to be the answer, we're going to find out. We'll let the doctors make those decisions."

"I know he's frustrated and he doesn't know what the next move is," Torre said. "Dr. Andrews may help him along those lines."

Pavano got a no-decision on Opening Day, then picked up his first win in almost two years on April 9 in Minnesota. The next day, he reported soreness in his arm, beginning his latest injury ride.

"His teammates have been counting on him and he hasn't been there, but I have a tough time dealing with the (idea) that he doesn't want to be there," Torre said. "It's certainly a lot tougher to not do it than to do it when you're a player. I feel bad for what he's had to deal with. I don't have any question that he wants to do it."

The Yankees have been down this road before, as Pavano missed the second half of 2005 and all of 2006 with a variety of injuries. In two-plus seasons with the Yankees, Pavano has made only 19 starts, going 5-6, since signing a four-year $40 million contract. Torre admitted that, at this point, anything they get from Pavano this season will be gravy.

"I don't think there's any question that it will be a bonus, because we don't know when he's going to throw again at this point in time," Torre said. "You certainly need to find out how to help him along in this area, and I don't know what that answer is right now."

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