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MLB odds: Yanks' Posada will try to delay surgery
By Jordan WaltersWagerWeb.com Contributing Writer
| Sports Betting at WagerWeb Online Sportsbook |
New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada does need surgery on his right labrum, but because that would end his season and take six months of rehab, Posada is going to attempt to make a position change to first base/designated hitter and try to finish off this season when he comes off the disabled list.
The Yankees placed Posada on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Sunday with pain in his right shoulder. The five-time All-Star will meet with manager Joe Girardi and GM Brian Cashman in the next week or two to discuss the correct way to proceed. He would be eligible to play again on Aug. 5.
Girardi said that it is "possible" Posada could not be ready to catch on Opening Day 2009 if he delays the surgery.
Posada, who had never been on the DL in his career prior to 2008, spent 32 games on the shelf earlier this season with right rotator cuff tendinitis. When he returned he was unable to make routine throws without feeling pain in his shoulder, but hitting doesn’t hurt it.
“I've got 15 days to make a decision," said Posada. "I'll rehab it and see how it feels and have a decision by then."
Posada prides himself on being a full-time catcher, but he said that if he is to continue playing this season, catching is "out of the question" for the remainder of the year.
"It's not about me. It's about the team now," Posada said. "How can I help the team? That's why I'm going to go through the rehab. If I'm able to hit, I'm going to try to do that. If I'm not able to hit, I'm going to have surgery."
The 36-year-old is batting .268 this season with three homers and 22 RBIs while playing only 51 games. Posada has appeared in at least 110 games every season since 1998 and is in the first year of a four-year, $52 million contract.
Girardi said that his club could benefit from having Posada's bat in the lineup, especially since outfielder/DH Hideki Matsui is expected to miss the rest of the season.
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