Does New York Yankee Pitcher, Phil Hughes have Micro-tears in his elbow or shoulder?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hicksville, New York, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) April 16, 2011 -- Does Phil Hughes have Micro-tears in his elbow or shoulder?

On April 8th I published an article that said Phil Hughes would be on the DL after his next start. The Yankees, as they always seem to do, denied, evaded, and claimed "they were not even thinking about such a move."

Today, April 15th, the day after Phil Hughes labored through another start, the Yankees placed him on the 15 day DL.

I wrote that article to point out the Yankees had a serious problem with their 24 year old pitcher, and it goes far beyond "dead Arm." I believe Phil Hughes has micro-tears in either his elbow, Labrum, or his rotator cuff. I came to this conclusion, by not only watching Phil Hughes unable to gain back any velocity over his three starts, but the continued struggle he has with his location.

With a dead arm, the pitcher is able to place the ball where he wants, but it just never seems to get there because it has no life to it, and it's missing that extra zip that you would normally see that last 10 feet to the plate.

When you have micro-tears you lose not only velocity, but also location, since your arm now has to adjust for the tears location, throwing off not only your arm angle, but release point as well.

True, location can be blamed from a pitcher trying to make up for the lost velocity by over throwing the ball, but if you familiar with pitching, if you try to over throw the ball, two things generally happen. The first is, at most you'll gain one mph, and in most cases trying to over throw the ball will result in a lower speed, since you're not as loose, and free throwing. The second thing that will happen, is the ball will sail high, since you now tried to force your arm to go faster, you lose your release point. If you try to continue to over throw the ball, the pitch will be all over the place, high, wide, way inside, the last place the ball will ever be is over the heart of the plate, because a pitcher is constantly trying to find the correct release point.

When I heard that the Yankees would not be sending Phil Hughes for an MRI. I suspect they also believe that he has these micro-tears. Except WFAN Mike Francesa who actually interviewed, Yankees manager, Joe Girardi, Most, if not all Sports radio, and TV host have questioned "Why not send him for an MRI?" It is a fair question, The Yankees are not exposing him to any sort of danger, The MRI is an easy and useful diagnostic tool, they preform thousands of MRI's throughout the country everyday, and being the Yankees I am sure the waiting list is pretty short to schedule an appointment.

When reporters ask "Why not an MRI?" The Yankees response is both asinine, as well as comical. "We do not believe Phil Hughes is suffering anything other than a dead arm." So far I have not heard one reporter ask, "So what's the big deal, why not send him to get an MRI just to be sure?"

So why are the Yankees not sending Hughes to get tested? Two reasons, One: If indeed he does have these micro-tears, the remedy is the exact same as you would use to treat a dead arm. Rest, long toss, stretching, and isometrics to build up strength. Two: If they do an MRI, it will lower Hughes trade value, because once it is verified that indeed he has micro tears, then other teams will not be including him in any trade negotiations.

The problem I see, is the Yankees are not being honest with the kid. Any 24 year old starting his second full year, is understandably worried that this "Dead Arm" maybe permanent, and he may never get his fastball back.

If he has an MRI either it will show the micro-tears, or it will show that he is 100% healthy, and all he has is indeed a "Dead Arm" so he can rest easy, knowing it will just be a matter of building his arm strength back up, and his fastball will once again return.

The Yankees are not doing the MRI for one simple reason and that is trade value, which I find completely dishonest, and also disgusting of them.

I find it amusing that all MLB teams are using this ridiculous pitch count, and inning limitations, because of the so called "health of the pitcher," but when a young pitcher, who has trade value clearly shows that something is wrong, they won't take an hour out to get an MRI, that will show if any damage has been done.

I hope Phil Hughes is fine, but I suspect that this situation is far from over. When Mike Francesa can't even ask Girardi during the Yankee managers weekly interview, "Why haven't you sent Phil Hughes for an MRI?" it shows the level of incompetence that reporters have been displaying. Even before the season started, in spring training it was evident that Phil Hughes did not have his normal velocity, but not one reporter was asking why?

I hope reporters will wake up and start looking for some real answers, by asking Girardi, and the Yankees some tough questions.

Dominick Mezzapesa
twitter @dmezz1120
Email: mezz1962@gmail.com

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