http://www.nypost.com/sports/yankees/27755.htm
WANG'S BACK IN ROTATION
By MICHAEL MORRISSEY
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September 7, 2005 -- When Chien-Ming Wang was sidelined with an aching
right shoulder at the start of the season's second half, the Yankees initially
thought he was done for the year.
It's a good thing he wasn't, John Flaherty said yesterday.
"It was a real crushing loss to us," said the Yankees' backup catcher.
"Everybody in here, when he stepped out on the mound, we felt real good
about our chances to win the game . . .
"Fortunately, we've been able to weather the storm enough until he gets
back."
Despite Wang's youth and inexperience, the Yankees are handing the ball to
the 25-year-old righty for tomorrow night's start against Tampa Bay.
That's because Wang, who was 6-3 with a 3.89 ERA in 13 games (12 starts),
has tremendous composure and nearly limitless potential. The Yankees'
first-half find might also be their September stopper.
"What he can do with a baseball is pretty impressive," Triple-A Columbus
pitching coach Gil Patterson said.
The Yankees filled out their rotation by naming Aaron Small as their Friday
starter. Al Leiter, for now, will pitch in relief.
Wang was activated before last night's game with Tampa Bay after rehabbing
right-shoulder inflammation in Tampa and finishing with two rehab starts for
Columbus. The Taiwanese rookie said his shoulder was 100 percent and he
doesn't need surgery after the season.
"I feel better," he said. "I feel good . . . No pain."
Joe Torre and pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre deliberated about the rotation
yesterday before deciding on Wang and Small. Torre said he has no
reservations about using Wang.
"Obviously he's not as sharp probably as he was most of the time when he
started," Torre said. "But his stuff was good [during the rehab], his changing
speeds was good.
"Probably most important is that he's recovered after every start normally. I
think that's one thing that you certainly look at as being major.
"He's got a great deal of confidence. That helps us to have confidence in
him."
In Wang's first stint in pinstripes, he was a critical addition at the end of
April when Kevin Brown, Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright were lousy and/or brittle.
In Wang's major-league debut in place of Wright on April 30, he scattered
six hits and two earned runs over seven innings against Toronto. Wang didn't
get a decision that day, but he pitched well enough that the Yankees won
eight of his 12 starts.
"He didn't shy away from anything," Jorge Posada said. "The things he did,
he seemed used to doing.
"He picked us up early. It says a lot about a guy that he's young, and they're
expecting a lot from him."
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