Lest you get too jazzed about the Roger Clemens signing and start thinking that all the bad pitching mojo may at last be on its way out the door and out of our lives, the Yanks got some disappointing (if not surprising) news regarding my best friend and soulmate, Carl Pavano. After just 2 starts this year, one of which looked pretty promising, Pavano is officially out for the season and heading for Tommy John surgery. As you are probably aware, TJ surgery is very serious business and takes quite a while to recuperate from, usually 12-18 months, meaning all you hardcore CP fans will have to wait until approximately October of 2008 to see him pitch again.

The Yankees likely weren't exactly counting on Pavano to rejoin the team anytime soon even before the TJ news broke, but the fact that there is no hope of him returning puts the team in quite a bind for the next month. Clemens won't be joining the team for a month, and Hughes and Karstens will both be out for at least that long. Rasner did well today and we'll see how DeSalvo fares tomorrow, but suffice it to say that the offense is most likely in for another month of pressure as they try to carry the team.

The fact that Pavano is injured again comes as no real surprise, but the 3% of my brain that is optimistic has been holding out hope that perhaps Pavano could be a serviceable pitcher this year. I did my best to conjure up some good thoughts and positivity for the fellow, but clearly my efforts were in vain. Perhaps he is not an avid Yankees Chick reader (as I'm sure the rest of the team is) and was not aware of the positive vibes I have been campaigning for? It's the only explanation I can envision.