JAKE BAUERS IS A BONAFIDE BALLPLAYER!

Yesterday I spoke about the need to get a solid left fielder on Bleeding Yankee Blue.  Someone to replace Oswaldo Cabrera who has struggled alittle right now and definitely to erase the heartbreak of a Aaron Hicks who is now just a guy with a Yankee uniform that hangs around.  

If you read THE YANKEES NEED A SOLID LEFT FIELDER. THERE COULD BE A FIX you will understand. I hinted that Jake Bauers would be my pick to come up and "stay there". Let the kids play I said.  And just like that, Jake Bauers proving to the Yankee fan base that he is extraordinary, gets possibly hurt in the process.

MLB.com writes:

Play of the year.

Jake Bauers.

Please be OK pic.twitter.com/n6BTThDurZ

— Conor Maguire (@cmaguire2008) April 29, 2023

"Moments into his first game for the Yankees after being called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre earlier Saturday, Jake Bauers made a running catch on the warning track in left field that was equal parts skill, instinct, courage and recklessness. He slammed into the wall at full speed after making an extraordinary grab on Adolis García’s sinking line drive, almost certainly saving a run while ending the first inning.

Unfortunately for Bauers, the stellar play ended his night, too, and his effort was in vain anyway in a 2-0 loss to the Rangers at Globe Life Field. He was diagnosed with a right knee contusion, and his status is uncertain. X-rays performed during the game were negative, and Bauers will undergo further testing Sunday."

Negative is a good thing. Will Bauers be out for a few days? Let's hope it's just a few.  What I saw from this kid yesterday was he wants to play, will fight his ass off to stay there... nothing like Aaron Hicks.

Aaron Hicks makes Gerrit Cole mad pic.twitter.com/aSco0Xtc0y

— gabe (@PlayoffTanaka_) April 28, 2023

The Yankees made the right move with this kid yesterday. I wish Bauers the best. This is my pick! Thanks for impressing us in Yankeeland Jake!

THE YANKEES NEED A SOLID LEFT FIELDER. THERE COULD BE A FIX

I think Aaron Hicks needs to be driven out to the deserts of Las Vegas with $20 bucks and a bottle of water and we just need to leave him there.  I remember screaming at my computer the days after the Yankees signed him to a 7-year, $70 million dollar contract.  It made no sense then and then aged horribly.  Not only can he not catch, but he also cannot play the field either.

The Yankees need a fix, and there may have one... or 2.  Our buds over at Empire Sports Media write:

"The Yankees must seek more competition in the outfield, even if it involves calling up Jake Bauers, a former top prospect excelling in Triple-A Scranton. General manager Brian Cashman might explore the trade market for solutions..."

The solution? Cody Bellinger.  Wow.

"As the Cubs are not expected to be highly competitive this year, the Yankees might be able to negotiate a trade for Bellinger...."

In return, the Yankees would send Yoendrys Gomez, Zach Messinger, and Chase Hampton to the Cubs. Gomez, a 23-year-old pitcher, has a 3.86 ERA across 16.1 innings with Double-A Somerset this year...

Messinger is currently playing in High-A with Hudson Valley, posting a 2.20 ERA across 16.1 innings....

Hampton, another right-handed pitcher, was a sixth-round draft pick in the 2022 MLB June Amateur Draft. This season, he has recorded a 4.61 ERA over 13.2 innings with High-A Hudson Valley."

Sure, it's a mock trade, but it's a good idea.  But if you're asking me, Jake Bauers needs to play, but not only that, keep him there.  At this point, according to MLB Trade Rumors:

"Bauers is indeed heading to New York, Kirschner and colleague Brendan Kuty write in further detail, but his contract has not yet been formally selected. The team is waiting on the results of an MRI that Judge underwent and could keep him on the taxi squad for now, depending on the results of Judge’s imaging."

Look, it's the end of April, not October. We have some time to play around and figure out what works.  If things are terrible by the trade deadline, yeah, the idea of Bellinger probably makes better sense, especially if the Yankees are making a run.  But right now... we gotta just give the kids a shot.

Love the ideas flowing Yankee fans.  Let's turn this season around!

IT'S OFFICIALLY THE 'DUMP AARON HICKS FAN CLUB'

The Yankees have to dump Aaron Hicks.  I have never seen a worse player offensively and defensively in the major leagues in all of my life watching baseball.  Now this happened.

Aaron Hicks and the Yankees need a divorce.

It’s just not working out pic.twitter.com/ISOTrVoca7

— Barstool Baseball (@StoolBaseball) April 28, 2023

I am officially as annoyed as Gerrit Cole. After this game, win or lose, if I was Cole I'd sit in front of the press and literally say "Yeah, on that fly ball to Hicks, you're a professional baseball player, you have to catch that."  Like literally start a clubhouse war so the Yankees are forced to Dump Hicks, because it's so bad, something needs to be done.

Right now we have plenty of great merch for sale officially making the DUMP AARON HICKS FAN CLUB.  Here's the link.  Go nuts!

I am totally done with this guy.

HEY JUDGE - ENOUGH WITH THE HEADFIRST SLIDE!

Yesterday was scary. Aaron Judge might've been all smiles when he stood in front of his lockers yesterday talking to the press, but I wasn't. I was still exhaling. I'm still recovering over here.

Look, I like a good gutsy play just as much as any other baseball fan. They make the game more interesting and adds excitement to the game. The idea to steal third was all Judge's decision. According to him, that was not a call Aaron Boone made and I really hope Boone did not advise that. Look, I am not a big fan of the headfirst slide. 

When you are 6 foot 7 inches and 282 pounds, sliding headfirst is just an invitation for something bad to happen. The risk for injury is infinitely greater. When will these guys realize that fingers, wrists, elbows and shoulders are just too valuable to risk? The headfirst slide is always a dumb move in my book. It's only a matter of time until someone slides headfirst, a finger gets caught in a shin guard or spike and then tendons are torn. I cringe just thinking about it...

Good news is that even after a quick field exit, and trainers evaluating him, Judge did return to the game. I am not so sure we are in the clear though. Even when Judge returned to the dugout he was still receiving treatment from the trainers, and he was frequently flexing his right hand. I'm not 100% confident that Judge completely dodged a bullet here.

I just hope that in the coming days we don't hear about Judge going for an MRI because he is in pain. We don't need anymore injuries and we certainly don't need to hear that Judge needs to be shut down for a few days. Sure, shutting down Judge for a short time frame would not be the worst-case scenario, but the Yankees need all of the offensive power they can get right now. He's a bat we can't afford to lose.

Cross our fingers that Judge is fine like he says he is, but I'm not convinced yet. A headfirst slide will always be a dumb move in my opinion.... but especially for a player his size. By the way, birthday injuries are not cool. That's not the birthday gift Judge should want.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

PLEASE TELL ME THAT AARON HICKS IS DONE ALREADY!

Source: The New York Post

You know that sinking feeling you get when you know something is going to wrong? Yea that is the feeling I get every time Aaron Hicks comes up to bat. You know, buzz kill, rally buster, deflation expert? Yea, that is Hicks to me. I really try to stay positive in my posts, as my colleague Steve Azul from the Bleed Blue Show encourages me to do, but I have nothing but negativity when I see Hicks in the lineup, And when he gets up with runners in players in scoring position, that is a whole other kind of rage. So, my question or rather my plea: Please Tell Me That Aaron Hicks is Done Already!

"Looking for a spark on offense, the Yankees made a few changes to their lineup as well. Willie Calhoun gets the start at designated hitter with Aaron Hicks shifting to left field and Oswald Peraza getting the nod at second base," reported NJ.com. I'm sorry, what? Aaron Hicks is giving spark to the offense?

Source: Robert Sabo for NY Post

In Monday night's loss to the Twins, Aaron Hicks performed as expected. "With two outs and nobody on in the first, Aaron Hicks took advantage of a rare start by bunting Gray's first pitch directly towards the mound. He didn't drag it. He didn't really do much of anything. He just fed it to the catcher, who lobbed on to first for the out," reported FanSided. In fact Hicks in the lineup provides absolutely no value to this struggling Yankee team. 

As the New York Post writes, "If the 2022 baseball season seemed like a nightmare for the talented Hicks, 2023 looks far worse so far. Overlooked amid all the bouquets thrown ace pitcher Gerrit Cole’s way after the Yankees’ 2-0 victory last Sunday was an offensive performance by Hicks that qualifies as memorably bad — three at-bats and three strikeouts out of the No. 9 hole against his original Minnesota Twins team."

On the road, Tuesday night against that same Minnesota team, he was equally lackluster. Hicks is batting an abysmal .120, trying to earn bases through walks which has backfired with backward Ks for the former center fielder now utility outfielder.

"The Yankees do not like to admit their mistakes, and no one relishes eating $30 million, which is no crime. But while Hicks’ seven-month slump appears to have no ending in sight — he had an 86 OPS+ last year, and it’s -12 now (though that’s only through 22 at-bats) — there isn’t any suggestion his Yankees tenure is anywhere near its close," reported The Post.

With Giancarlo Stanton on the IL for an indefinite amount of time and Harrison Bader still battling to come back, it looks like Hicks is around for a little while longer. But honestly, if the Yankees want to get anywhere this season, they need to find a trade partner or DFA the guy. Listen if Sonny Gray and Joey Gallo can find a new lease on baseball life somewhere else, why can't Hicks? He could play outfield for another team and maybe revive himself like his two former teammates. 

Please tell me that Hicks is done being a Yankees and Brian Cashman, somehow and some way can find a way to drop the guy off at another ball club that can welcome him with open arms? Maybe we can get someone of equal need of rehabilitation to come to New York in return. Honestly, anything would be better than watching Hicks trot toward balls in the outfield and swing through pitches from both sides of the plate. It's frustrating and it needs to be done already. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

WHAT ARE WE PAYING YOU FOR CARLOS RODON?

We've been here before Yankee fans. Carl Pavano was an absolute loser. Jacoby Ellsbury's contract was a disgrace, and the guy was always hurt.  Frankie Montas just needs to be dropped off in middle of the country with $20 bucks and a "Good luck" post-it stuck to his forehead. There is nothing worse than getting a new guy, a guy that's supposed to be the difference maker for a team and they just lay an egg early and are useless.  And that is where we are when it comes to Carlos Rodon right now.

We wanted this guy. We trusted this guy would be the 3rd punch in our rotation after Gerrit Cole and Nestor Cortes... and he's been everything else instead.  It blows.

Yardbarker writes:

"Rodon experienced discomfort in his back in early April. New York shut him down for a few days before sending him to have a second CT scan; The results came back positive.

Speaking to the media prior to Sunday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said, "Hopefully, he continues with the throwing program throughout the week and hopefully the back continues to subside, but I don't think it's anything major structurally from the test."

Having his throwing program pushed back means that Rodon is looking at a mid-June..."

$163 million to rehab a bad back. Seems like a steal for Rodon and not for the Yankees.  

Now I understand that no one can predict when an injury happens, but one thing I do know is that the MLB and their teams have some of the best physicians out there and something just doesn't sit right with me when it comes to the medical staff of the Yankees and these recent trades.  Guys like Montas and Rodon were delivered essentially hurt to the Bronx.  Why? What physical are we doing that they pass just to be injured later? Why does it keep happening? 

I'm suspicious about our medical staff. I have been for a while. We kind of need some answers, cause right now the perception is that guys like Rodon and even Montas are damaged goods and when it comes to Yankeeland, you don't want us fans against you before you take the mound officially. In fact, it's a death sentence.

Get well quick Carlos...we are losing our patience.

YUCK! VOLPE DROPS THE BALL & THE YANKEES LOSE THE SERIES

Well that was hard to watch. What alternate universe are we living in right now? Wherever we are, I'd like to leave immediately. It's time to hit the reset button and be ready to go for this road trip. I hope it isn't easier said than done.

We all saw the Yankees failures yesterday, but it goes back to that common theme of a lack of offense and the Yankees inability to make contact. New season, same story....and it is frustrating. The Yankees are their own worst enemy, because they don't fix their weaknesses and that is why we are six games back in the division and why we lost our first series of the season.

I know NJ.com posted their recap and detailed Anthony Volpe's error and yes, that was a bad error and that was a play that should've been made, that is not the reason why the Yankees lost the game. If the Yankees would've made contact and did their job then that error wouldn't be headline worthy. There's nothing about their story that isn't factual, but the real headline here is the Yankees just sucked. Of course, since we see the Yankees lack of offense every season it is sexier to make the rookie the headline because it gets more reads.

I wish I had something sexier to talk about from the last game but, the Yankees bats were dead yesterday. If it weren't for Anthony Rizzo, DJ LeMahieu and Isiah Kiner-Falefa's hits I probably would've screamed until I lost my voice. Aaron Judge and his 0-for-4 day now has a .244 BA have a lot of work to do instead of hanging out at hockey games. The Blue Jays made us look irrelevant yesterday and these guys need to perform up to expectations.

Volpe's error yesterday sucked....but the entire team sucked more. I'm tired of being so far behind the Rays and the Orioles. Sure, we just lost our first series....but current standings should show all of us just how much of a dog fight the AL East will be this season. All of US can see it....but what about the Yankees?

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

VOLPE SKATES ERROR CRUCIFIXTION WHILE IKF GETS TRASHED

The Double Standard is huge right now. Golden Boy Anthony Volpe makes an error yesterday and it's Clarke Schmidt's fault. That's how you are playing this blame game. Protect the new kid at Short. deflect. I see how this is going and you know who else does? Isiah Kiner-Falefa.  

Why? Why are the haters out in full effect when IKF makes an error, but the new kid gets a pass? I mean, not that it matters now, but yesterday's game was lost by that Volpe error.

Look, Volpe is a good kid.  He took the responsibility for it. The New York Post writes:

"Young Volpe offered no excuses for the costly error.

“That’s on me,” he said. “We should be off the field there easy. It’s a play that I feel like we make every single [time] in training and everything like that. I definitely expect myself to make it for me and for the team.”

He was asked if the ball took a late bad hop.

“I don’t think good fielders get bad hops,” Volpe said, “so that’s on me.”

Now IKF makes errors too and when he does, he literally ALSO takes responsibility for them too. He's very accountable. But for some reason, fans hate him. What they are forgetting is he wasn't supposed to ever be the everyday Yankee starting shortstop for a decade.  In fact, Yanks go Yard says it best, written in July 2022:

"For those not paying attention, Kiner-Falefa was acquired this past offseason as a stopgap option to pave the way for either Anthony Volpe or Oswald Peraza, both of whom still need time to develop. Could the Yankees have gone in a better direction? Absolutely. But they didn’t. And for fans to “expect more” out of IKF when he’s delivering … exactly the output he has for his entire career is borderline insane."

So, for those not paying attention, the guy we wanted at short, Volpe made the error yesterday.  When does he get the same treatment and torture IKF has gotten in the Bronx? Just saying, it's BS.

There is no question Volpe will be a success story in New York. My prediction is they will send him down at some point to get tightened up and polished.  I think him earning a spot on the roster for opening day was huge, and he deserves that.  But don't think for a second that this kid's perfect, because he ain't. It will take time, he will hit some stumbling blocks, that's the game. But I do see a solid future for him.

But remember this the next time you expect IKF to be perfect like Volpe, because man... it's just ridiculous to think that ANY player can be perfect out there. Baseball is a game of failure... it's hard.  IKF doesn't deserve to be booed every time he takes the field after an error.  If he does, so does Volpe. And to be honest, that's being a shitty Yankee fan anyway.  

We want success out of these guys, that's the bottom line.

Go Yanks!

THE MODERN DAY RIVALRY BETWEEN BLUE JAYS AND YANKEES IS REAL

I am always grateful for a walk-off win. But the last two have been because the Yankees failed to get the job done when they had the opportunity. In Saturday's game, the Yankees scored their only two runs on an Anthony Volpe rocket in the bottom of the 8th after Gerrit Cole kept the Toronto Blue Jays at bay for 5 2/3 innings, allowing only four hits and lowering his ERA to 0.79. But just like that the Yankees couldn't hold that lead as the Blue Jays tied the game with a pinch hit two-home run by Danny Jansen. It took a heroic bottom of 9th inning to push the Yankees to the rubber game after a disappointing loss to rival Toronto on Friday night. That walkoff win is what we are going to dive into just a bit more, but it is more meaningful than you think. 

         Source: Associated Press

"Intrigue began even before the first pitch. Just as Cole was about to start the game, he was forced to wait, crouching behind the mound as Manoah and Kirk slowly walked from the Blue Jays bullpen down the left-field line to the dugout," reported ESPN. This is the kind of pettiness we have traditionally seen from the Red Sox, but they are a non-entity over the last few years despite their storied history of well, hating the Yankees.

Replacing that fierce relationship has been the Blue Jays led by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. who clearly has a dislike for the Yankees based on his remarks and antics anytime he plays or is asked about the Yankees. But today, it was about Gerrit Cole and Alek Manoah— who have had an ugly relationship for some time and that saga continued in Saturday's game.

"Last Aug. 21, Manoah threw an inside pitch early in the game that went near Yankees star Aaron Judge, then hit Judge on the arm guard above the left elbow. Judge glanced at Manoah as Cole started yelling and a few other Yankees came over the dugout railing. Cole was intercepted by bench coach Carlos Mendoza before reaching the umpires," reported ESPN. Manoah believes Cole is the biggest cheater in baseball, calling out his sticky substance history on NBA player Serge Ibaka’s YouTube show “How Hungry Are You?”

According to MLB.com, "Cole said he derived no additional juice from Manoah’s presence; they exchanged words last August, and Manoah spoke publicly about Cole again this past offseason. “I get all of my motivation from inside of this clubhouse,” Cole said."

Source: Associated Press

The drama culminated when Volpe hit the two-run home run to put the Yankees up 2-0 in the 8th "The afterglow of Volpe’s moment was interrupted a few minutes later when Danny Jansen tied the game again with a pinch-hit two-run homer off Wandy Peralta. Jansen’s homer ending up being but a footnote after the Yanks rallied in the home half," reported MLB.com. 

The game's hero was DJ LeMahieu whose base hit cemented the Yankee lead for good in walk off fashion. But the unsung hero in this game is Cole, who battled those birds like the true ace he is. He seems completed focused on his craft, ignoring the banter and complimenting the Jays and their starting pitcher.

Source: Associated Press

“They’re tough,” Cole said. “They grind; they don’t give a pitch up. They’re shifty, and obviously Alek was on his game today. He threw tremendous. I would have liked to get deeper. … It did feel like I kind of faded a little bit, but I gave it everything I had,” reported MLB.com. Thatta boy Gerritt, take the higher road. 

It will be another battle in the stadium on Sunday as the Yankees will once again send Clarke Schmidt to the mound despite his 8.79 ERA in the afternoon rubber game against the Jays. One thing is for sure, the Yankees need to prove they will not go away easily and that they can comeback and win series, which is what they have done all seven times this season. They have to take the opportunities when they come and make the Jays pay. That is how this modern day rivalry will continue to fuel itself—if they play with everything they have and take the higher road while doing it. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

DONALDSON HAS A SETBACK & SADLY YANKEE FANS ARE OK WITH IT

Josh Donaldson is still hurt, and it looks like he will still be hurt for a few more weeks.  Are Yankee fans sad? Are Yankee fans distraught about it? Nope.

Donaldson is at the end of his career. I like the guy, but it is clear he's slowed down. And with this new movement of youth making an impact for the Yankees early, it just feels right that Donaldson should take as long as he needs to recover. In other words... we're ok without you right now.

MLB Trade Rumors writes:

" Josh Donaldson has been diagnosed with a “Grade 1-plus strain” of his right hamstring, manager Aaron Boone tells reporters, including Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. Boone says Donaldson will probably miss a couple of weeks.

With Donaldson out, the Yankees have mostly turned to DJ LeMahieu at the hot corner. Utility players Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Oswaldo Cabrera have also been in the mix, though prospect Oswald Peraza is getting the start..."

Having Cabrera up... having Peraza play... shows the Yankees are also willing to move on, especially if the youth movement do well.  And so, while I feel bad for broken down Donaldson, we have to move on as a fan base.

Too many injuries... we need to get back on track.

YOU DON'T LIKE THE YANKEES, VLAD? WE DON'T LIKE YOU EITHER

It was great to see Vlad Guerrero Jr. plunked last night by Greg Weissert in the Yankees loss to them.  Was it calculated? Was it an accident? Either way, the problem we all have with Vlad Guerrero is that he's literally obsessed with our team.  This is a guy that made his own problems, and pissed off the entire Yankee fan base, not the mention the Yankees.  No one cares about you, Vlad. Your father was a true baseball professional. You however are not. You're trash... and you're obsessed.  You don't want to be a Yankee? You would never sign with the Yankees you say?  Have you thought about how ridiculous your ego is? We don't want you!

Fansided writes a great article on last night's events, and it involved one true Yankee leader... Anthony Rizzo!

Anthony Rizzo on what he said to Vlad: “Just walk to first base. I just took exception. I’m just going to back my teammate up. He was just staring him down. It was obviously an accident. I get Vlad’s side of being pissed. I’ve been hit many times.” pic.twitter.com/SL5fcm5cq9

— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) April 22, 2023

"Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reiterated his point that he really doesn't like the New York Yankees, and that he will never sign with them. The reason why is something he cites as "personal," and he has let the world know on numerous occasions in the past year that he likes to "kill" the Yankees. He certainly did that earlier in the series-opening game, crushing a two-run homer in the top of the first inning, and had some fun on his trot around the bases.

Well, things got a bit more chippy later on in the game.

In the top of the ninth inning, Guerrero was hit in the left elbow guard by Yankees relief pitcher Greg Weissert. Guerrero took exception to this, seemingly thinking there was intent behind the throw, and stared down Weissert. As he continued to stare him down, Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo began jawing with Guerrero, telling him to take his base.

Rizzo said that "I'm just going to back my teammate up" and that the plunking was an accident.

Weissert said that he didn't intentionally hit Guerrero, telling reporters, "you guys watched the game, I didn't have my best stuff." 

It just shows the ego of Vlad to think that we were out to get him.  But more to this... this reminds me of the rivalry in the past of Yankees and George Brett and the Royals, of when things ran hot with the Red Sox.  Trust me, if that's what Vlad wants to accomplish, he has... we all can't stand him.

I have no doubt the Blue Jays will plunk one of our guys today at the Stadium.  All because Vlad's obsessed.  He needs to really just shut up and play. That's the bottom line.

YANKS JUST SNAGGED ANOTHER OUTFIELDER WITH STANTON ON THE MEND

Quick note as the Yankees continue to play decent so far this season, even though many of their top guys are on the shelf.   Look, I said it once and I'll say it again. It's only April so having guys hurt now it fine by me. We wanna be full staff soon though... I hate when our guys are hurt.

OK, the new edition with Stanton hurt and unable to play outfield? MLB Trade Rumors writes:

"The Yankees announced Thursday that they’ve signed free-agent outfielder Kole Calhoun to a minor league contract...Calhoun, 35, hit .250/.314/.281 in 35 trips to the plate with Seattle this spring and is looking to rebound from a tough pair of seasons in 2021-22. Over that two-year span, the longtime Angels right fielder slashed just .208/.269/.343 in 606 trips to the plate between the Diamondbacks and the Rangers."

Hey, is the move a smart one? Hey, it's filler. Calhoun is no spring chicken, plus they have Willie Calhoun too. The point is we gotta see what we get from him. At least it gives the Yankees options which is really what we need right now.

Welcome to the Bronx Kole. Let's get some.

RUH ROH! THE CARLOS RODON UPDATE I DIDN'T WANT TO HEAR

All eyes on Carlos Rodon....and maybe some people holding their breath, too. His rehab is taking longer than expected, which is making everyone restless.

I know I have been anxiously waiting for Rodon to make his debut in pinstripes, but it sounds like we may need to wait a little bit longer. How long? No one knows, but it sounds like he has had a setback, read more HERE. Rodon has fully healed from his left forearm strain, but now he is dealing with a "barking" back since last week according to Aaron Boone.

Now the Yankees will wait for test results and we will all hope and pray for good news. The pitching staff has been bit hard by the injury bug so early in the season and the sooner we can get some arms back the better. Not to mention that we all want to see Rodon in action and hope that the Yankees six year, $162 million investment pays off.

I don't think it's time to panic yet, but some others do. I stumbled across THIS today on WFAN and thought it was an interesting take. It's a little early in the season to be throwing in the towel and giving up on him but to quote WFAN, "Let me tell you what that means: he’s screwed."

I'd rather stay positive here and hopefully Boone is right instead. "I think it's frustrating for him, certainly," Boone said. "Again, elbow's good. I don't think this is any big deal, other than a nuisance that's slowing him a little bit. We definitely know he’s going to be worth the wait. We just want to make sure he's good to go when that time comes."

I understand some concern due to his injury history but until Rodon is evaluated I'm not going to write him off. I think sometimes WFAN is a little too overdramatic for my liking. I am hoping this will prove to be another one of those times and hopefully we can laugh about this later. 

It's not often that I agree with Boone, but I do think Rodon could be a game changer for our starting rotation. I might have to mark this day down on the calendar, it may not happen again for a looooonng time.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj