Stories of the Day 4/8 - Christian Garcia Injured

Written by Greg Fertel | 08 April 2010

As I pretty frequently prove, I don't really know what I'm talking about. Here are three predictions or statements I made within the last few days:

• Regarding the Trenton rotation, I said that Wilkin De La Rosa was a lock for the rotation.
• I speculated that Brad Suttle could play first base, since he is just now returning from labrum surgery.
• I suggested that the Yankees use Jimmy Paredes as the everyday Charleston shortstop, since I didn't see a clear cut choice.

Well, today we learned that I was wrong about all of these things. De La Rosa is not starting the season in the Trenton rotation. Suttle started the first game of the season at third base, and Paredes started the first game of the Charleston season at second base.

Onto the big story of the day, Christian Garcia left today's Trenton game in the sixth inning with what was described as elbow soreness by pitching coach Tony Franklin. He had pitched 5.2 shutout innings and then was taken out of the game. Garcia's injury history is well documented, but he looked good in spring training and had high hopes for the 2010 season. It's very disappointing to see him go down with an injury so soon; hopefully, it isn't too serious.

Ivan Nova got the opening day start for Scranton, but his outing was shortened to just four innings because of rain delays. In Jesus Montero's Triple-A debut, the pitching was the story. Montero doubled in his first at bat and then went hitless. The Yankees pitched a shutout with two innings apiece from Mark Melancon and Boone Logan, and Jonathan Albaladejo finished it off with a scoreless ninth.

The story down in Tampa has to be Hector Noesi. After posting a K:BB of 10 in the FSL last season, the Yankees decided to send him there to start this year as well. In his first start, he continued to dominate, pitching 6 shutout innings, allowing two hits, walking just one, and striking out six.

The injury to Trenton's Garcia opens up a spot in their rotation, but I'm not sure the Yankees will sent Noesi there so hastily. Both Lance Pendleton and De La Rosa could step in to Trenton's rotation if the Yankees need.

This could be a running theme this season, but there wasn't much to see down in Charleston. Their opening day starter was a guy named Shaeffer Hall, who the Yankees drafted in the 25th round last season. He pitched six shutout innings, but he is probably more of an organizational guy.

Overall, the pitching was ridiculous today. Only two runs allowed by the whole organization. Lets hope they can keep that up.

Photo Credit: Mike Ashmore