1. Sean Henn is the promising stock that simply never is going to pay off. The Yankees see a lefty who throws in the low to mid-90s with a very good slider, and think about what he could mean as a southpaw weapon out of the pen. GM Brian Cashman has believed that Henn was going to be a late-bloomer, similar to Scott Proctor. But I suspect now that Henn is just a tease. He simply cannot master the command necessary to make his stuff worthwhile. He turns 27 next month. It is too old to still consider Henn a prospect. It is not too old, obviously for him to turn it around. But could that possibly be with the Yankees? The Yanks announced yesterday that Henn has shoulder tendinitis and will begin the year on the DL. But at some point he has to come off and then he either has to be put on the 25-man roster or placed on waivers because he has no options left. If the Yanks do not believe in Henn, they cannot put him on the roster. Not with contention at stake. But his up side â that lefty arm and fastball â will convince a non-contender such as the Pirates or Orioles to take a flyer on Henn if he is put on waivers.
2. Brett Myers shut the Yankees out for five innings on Wednesday. It is vital for the Phillies that Brad Lidge and Tom Gordon stay healthy enough and competent enough to handle the late-game bullpen. That would continue to free Myers up to team with Cole Hamels to give the Phillies a very good 1-2 atop their rotation. The rotation is an area that the Phillies project to being weaker than either the Mets or Braves. So keeping Myers in that rotation is important for the Phils to defend their AL East title.
3. Kelvim Escobar revealed on Wednesday that he has a tear in his shoulder that might require surgery. That surgery may end his season, and Escobar told reporters might even end his career because he was questioning his desire to go through the rehab. The Angels have rotation depth, but this is a staggering loss. Escobar won 18 games last year and has top-of-the-rotation stuff. And the Angels already know they are without ace John Lackey for a month due to a triceps strain. The Angels are the AL West favorites. But that is more tenuous today.
