Sweeny Says: All Is Not Grand With Granderson
By Sweeny Murti
» More Columns
There remains a possibility that Curtis Granderson won't be ready to play on Opening Day, March 31st. An MRI Wednesday revealed a slight strain of the internal oblique. Doctors told Granderson it was similar to Joba Chamberlain's injury (he pitched in a game again 11 days after it occurred).
Here's Granderson talking about his injury and his level of concern and uncertainty:
Podcast
The Yankees don't appear to be too concerned actually because Greg Golson was part of Wednesday's roster cuts. It's not impossible to bring him back if Granderson went on the DL; it just seems like a move they wouldn't necessarily make at this point if they thought Golson had any chance to break camp with them. Beyond Golson, Justin Maxwell is the only other outfielder still in camp with major league experience that could be considered a short term solution.
The Yankees can afford to wait until Granderson is fully healthy before they turn him loose in a major league exhibition game again. That will protect them in the event he has to go on the DL. As long as a player does not participate in a major league exhibition game after March 22nd, he can be backdated to that date and be reinstated from the DL as early as April 6th.
At this point that would mean missing only five games. The Yankees, most likely carrying only four outfielders when camp breaks, could roll the dice without a roster move. Before all that, we go day by day with Granderson and see when he is able to get back on the field. The Yankees play just five more games here in Tampa before breaking camp next Tuesday.
Sweeny Murti
yankees@wfan.com
www.twitter.com/YankeesWFAN
