In his first three starts of 2009, Wang gave up 23 earned runs in six innings. He pitched better as the season went on but he still finished the year with scary bad numbers — a 9.64 ERA, a 2.02 WHIP and a record of 1-6 for the eventual World Series champions.

In 2006 and 2007, Wang won 19 games in each season. In 2006, he had an ERA of 3.63, while his 2007 ERA was 3.70. But after getting injured in interleague play in 2008, Wang has never been the same.

Even though he’s a free agent, there’s a chance that the Yankees will try to bring him back. If they do, it’s likely that New York will only offer a minor league contract. The more likely scenario is another team will try to buy low on a starting pitcher who was pretty good not that long ago.

Chien-Ming Wang is now a free agent (Image: Zuma Press)

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Rodriguez has missed the entire season due to hip surgery. He had the surgery in the second week of March and is expected to return on May 15th if his rehab goes smoothly. So far, Rodriguez is reportedly feeling good and on track to return in that time frame.

Wang, on the other hand, was just recently put on the disabled list. Unfortunately for the Yankees, he’s been very active this season — in terms of giving up runs. After three starts, Wang is 0-3 with a 34.50 ERA. In six innings of work, he’s given up 23 earned runs.

Wang’s officially injury is weakness in his hips. Team official blame the foot injury that caused him to miss almost four months last year. The Yankees think that Wang can return to form if he strengthens the lower half of his body to give himself more velocity on his pitches.

There’s no definite time table for when Wang will return to the starting rotation for New York.

Chien Ming Wang, New York Yankees (Image: Newscom)

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Chien-Ming Wang, New York Yankees (Image: Newscom)

In his first start of the season, Wang gave up seven earned runs in 3.2 innings. In that outing, which was actually his best outing of the season so far, he gave up nine hits and walked three batters.

In his second game, Wang gave up eight earned runs in one inning. In that showing, he allowed six hits and three walks. In his last outing, Wang gave up eight earned runs in 1.1 innings, while giving up eight hits.

On the season, Wang has allowed 23 earned runs in six innings. He’s given up 23 hits and six walks while only striking out two batters.

In the last three seasons, Wang has been the Yankees’ best starting pitcher. He had back-to-back 19-win seasons in 2006 and 2007 and last year had eight wins in only 15 starts. Prior to this year’s debacle, Wang’s career-high ERA was last season’s 4.07.

The Yankees haven’t announced any plan of action to try to get Wang back on track. Sources close to the team think that the Yankees may opt to have him miss a start while they review film and do a medical checkup.

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Sabathia struggled mightily to begin his 2008 campaign but has bounced back nicely. After posting a 7.76 ERA in April, Sabathia had a 2.44 ERA in May and so far in June has a 2.74 ERA. Sabathia, who won the Cy Young Award last year in the AL, seems to be back on top of his game.

If the Sabathia trade rumors heat up, which teams are the likely destinations? Let’s take a look:

Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox have lost Curt Schilling for the season and recently had to put Bartolo Colon on the DL. The Red Sox have the money to pay Sabathia and could view the hefty left as a key cog to their attempt to repeat as World Series champions.

New York Yankees
Like the Red Sox, the Yankees and their limitless payroll will definitely be in the running. New York entered the season banking on a few young arms to come through, however that hasn’t happened. Now with Chien-Ming Wang injured and out until September, their need for a star pitcher is great.

Chicago Cubs
The Cubs are looking to finally end their historical championship slump and 2008 looks like its their best shot in a long while. However, with Carlos Zambrano injured, their chances will go down the drain quickly if he can’t bounce back. That’s where Sabathia could come into play.

Los Angeles Dodgers
Sabathia grew up in California so perhaps he’d be interested in being traded to the Dodgers. And Los Angeles, with Brad Penny and Hiroki Kuroda both going on the DL, could definitely use Sabathia on its pitching staff.

Will CC Sabathia be traded?

Photo: Newscom

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Wang has been the Yankees pitching ace the last few years. This season, he has arguably been the team’s best pitcher. Wang has a record of 8-2 with a 4.07 ERA. In both 2006 and 2007, Wang had 19 wins for New York.

With Wang out, the Yankees will have to rely on starters Mike Mussina, Andy Pettitte and Joba Chamberlain to carry the load.

Chien-Ming Wang Injury – New York Yankees Pitcher

Photo: Newscom

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The Yankees are now 20-22 and in last place in the AL East. The Rays, with a record of 24-17, are in first place.

How can the Yankees turn save their season?

1. Get Healthy
The Yankees are dealing with a number of injuries at the moment. Most prominently, the team is without Hall of Fame third baseman Alex Rodriguez. Rodriguez has a strained quadriceps that has kept him out of the lineup for the entire month of May. In that time, Rodriguez has only been seen choking in the delivery room. Besides Rodriguez, veteran catcher Jorge Posada and young starter Phil Hughes are also battling injuries. Posada has a shoulder injury, while Hughes has a broken rib.

2. Get Hitting
The Bronx Bombers are more like the Bronx Bunters this year. No player on the team is having that great of a season at the plate. Jason Giambi leads the team with seven homeruns – but he also has a batting average of .184. Veterans like Bobby Abreu and Derek Jeter are having decent but not great seasons. Young players like Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera haven’t lived up to their potential. The Yankees need a hot bat to emerge.

3. Get Pitching Depth
Chien-Ming Wang has been very good for the Yankees this year. Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte have had their ups and downs but overall they have been good enough. The problem is the rest of the rotation is in shambles. The Yankees were hoping that Hughes and Ian Kennedy could be the other two starts, but Hughes is hurt and Kennedy has been ineffective. Whether it’s a trade or a young pitcher stepping up, the Yankees need a more balanced rotation.

4. Get Torre?
While the Yankees are struggling, Joe Torre has the Los Angeles Dodgers at 21-19. Could the Yankees be showing signs of missing Torre? Perhaps. George Steinbrenner and his twin son Hank Steinbrenner won’t give current manager Joe Girardi as much leeway as they gave Torre. If the Yankees don’t turn it around ASAP, Girardi might be sent packing.

Does Joe Girardi Hear Joe Torre’s Footsteps?

Photo: Newscom

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• Yankees at Red Sox, 4:05 p.m. PT — You’ll be watching this one whether you want to or not. It’s what pays the bills, eh? Chien-Ming Wang goes against Clay Buccholz.
• Angels at Mariners, 7:10 p.m. PT — Jered Weaver and Felix Hernandez… Vlad and Ichiro!… Monkeys and mooses (meese?)… This one’s got it all. Here’s your game of the day.
• Padres at Dodgers, 7:40 p.m. PT — Jake Peavy and Brad Penny hook up for the second time in a week. The big story — at least among people who don’t know much about baseball — is a mysterious substance that appeared on Peavy’s hand in their previous meeting. You’re better than that, though; you recognize that two of the game’s best pitchers will be battling tonight, and that’s what really matters.

Happy, happy…

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