YANKEE NOTES
TAMPA – Jorge Posada spent last night at St. Joseph’s Hospital with a broken nose after getting hit while playing catch at Legends Field last night before the Yanks’ 5-4 win over the Red Sox.
Posada was to have the nose realigned (medical term is closed reduction) last evening and is expected to be released today. How much time he will miss wasn’t known.
According to Joe Torre, the ball struck Posada in the bridge of the beak. Posada was playing catch with Kelly Stinnett when the accident occurred. He either was distracted by another ball or turned his head when his name was called.
“He was a little puffy above the left eye and his nose was bleeding,” Torre said of his catcher, who missed four games two years ago when he suffered a fractured nose when hit by a thrown ball sliding into second. “It didn’t look displaced. The nose still looked like it was in place.”
If Posada, who has never been on the DL in his 10-year big league career, isn’t ready at the start of the season the Yankees will likely go with Stinnett and Wil Nieves, who is out of options.
Before you ask, John Flaherty isn’t an option since the Red Sox hold his rights after the former Yankee retired earlier this month. And the Red Sox aren’t likely to do the Yankees any favors and release Flaherty.
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Johnny Damon said his left shoulder was well enough to play center field against his former team last night. However, the medical staff and Torre decided another night of rest would benefit Damon.
“They said (tonight),” Damon said of his return to center after battling tendinitis during the WBC. “It feels good and I am definitely pleased about that. My arm feels good today and I want to make sure it stays that way.”
Torre used Damon as the DH and Bernie Williams in center. As for facing the Red Sox, the team he played four years with and helped win a World Series in 2004, Damon downplayed it.
“It’s an exhibition game,” Damon said. “It’s a spring training game. A lot is made out of these games but we are still trying to get our work in. Asked if he misses his flowing locks and facial hair, Damon said, “I have enjoyed not messing with it. And I am enjoying shaving. I feel a bit younger. My mom has got her baby back.”
