Aaron Small: Small strained his right hamstring back in spring training and was placed on the 15-day DL on March 24^th. He has been participating in throwing and pitching drills and could pitch in a minor league game as early as this weekend. He is expected to return soon—“mid April”—and new pick-up Koyie Hill will likely be placed back on waivers to make room on the roster for Smally.

Carl Pavano: In addition to being plagued by familiar back problems, Pavano strained his buttocks (hmm…) while making a play at first at the end of March. The original estimate for his return was April 28^th, but that appears to be wishful thinking. He is currently only able to play catch, and only on flat ground. Don’t expect Pavano to make any starts in April, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the end of May before he steps on the mound.

Octavio Dotel: His recovery from last year’s Tommy John surgery on his right elbow is going smoothly, and he has been rehabbing by throwing pitches from halfway between the plate and the mound. He is optimistic that he will be ready to return as soon as the end of April, but the Yanks will probably play it safe and wait until the end of May. Once he returns, Torre and Guidry would like to use him in the 7^th and 8^th innings as a set-up man for Mo.

Labels: injuries, pavano must die