The loss of Alex Rodriguez to a knee injury has understandably hurt the Yankees both offensively and defensively, as Eduardo Nunez is not exactly on A-Rod’s level in either of those departments (that’s a nice way of putting it). Eric Chavez’s return from a foot fracture has been long delayed by several setbacks, including a relatively recent abdominal injury, and this delay has given many Yankee fans reason to write him off from returning healthy anytime soon. Recent news indicates that Chavez, who has posted a solid .303/.410/.424 line in part-time duty, may be back fairly soon.
Chad Jennings, who recently spoke with Joe Girardi, reported that Chavez was taking BP and groundballs, and would be ready to return to game action soon. Mark Carig of the Star-Ledger had even better news, reporting that Chavez would begin DH’ing in a rehab game “as soon as Tuesday.” Obviously the Yankees will take their time with the fragile Chavez, but if he is able to begin playing in rehab games this week, he could be back in the bigs within a week or two if there are no setbacks (a big if). The loss of Chavez to injury greatly hurt the Yankees bench, and with the loss of Alex Rodriguez, he was missed even more strongly. If he can get back healthy and approach his early-season form, it could be a big pickup for the Yankees as they try to stay the course without A-Rod. This will send Eduardo Nunez back to the bench, where he belongs.
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9 Responses to Chavez may be back sooner than expected
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TIQ IQ
We can only hope this is true! With Chavez however, I am going to take the “I’ll believe it when I see it approach”. Including this year the man has played in 81 games since the start of 2008.
Agreed, Chavez has been hurt enough throughout his career that I won’t believe he’s back until he steps in the batter’s box (and even then I’ll be scared every time he fouls a ball off his foot).
It really is ashame too. Even with all the injuries he has managed to accumulate some very nice career numbers.
.267/.343/.478, wOBA of .350, 230 HRs, 793 RBI, 47 SBs, and a 32.7 career WAR. He managed to post 5 consecutive seasons with a SLG% above .500, and he has had 3, 5.4+ WAR seasons. If he had been able to stay healthier who knows what he could have done.
Nunez needs to work on his defense, and it might be better for him if he did that in AAA. Pena can handle making errors on the major league level.
He makes much better contact than Pena though, and he has been very good on the base paths this year. If he would just stop rushing his throws he would be a positive addition to the team. I think it’s in his head at this point though, he is clearly thinking about not making throwing errors. Maybe going to triple A will get his confidence back up in the field, but I’m not so sure it will. He still has to come back up and face the same plays, with the same history.
If it’s a choice between Pena or Nunez, I want Nunez.
Chris, you’re right about the contact, of course. However, the defensive replacement sb first a high quality defender. The confidence of the whole team depends on confidence in each plyer’s defensive abilities. One error here begets another there.
Two seasons of flawless defense at three positions makes me consider the egregious bufoonery of two series as likely an emotional breakdown. Ramiro can steady that, probably better out of town.
Until Chavez gets back, just avoid playing Ramiro and Frankie in the same game. Our offense is strong enough.
Just as a throw in for injury updates, Jesus Montero returned for his first game since going on the DL yesterday. He started at catcher, hit 3rd in the order, went 1-5 with an RBI single, and struck-out 3 times. It wasn’t a great game from the sound of it, but at least he is back in action.
Getting Chavez back won’t “send Nunez back to the bench where he belongs” during the period A-Rod is out. As fragile as he is,and after being out about 2 months, Chavez may play 1-2 games a week at 3B- he certainly won’t take over for Nunez.
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