Right-hander strains hamstring during fall Viera. Fla. — The nerves were firing for Nationals right-hander Chien-Ming Wang. He has accomplished much since a return last summer from a serious shoulder injury. But he had yet to face his former team, the New York Yankees.
Wang’s visit didn’t last long, unfortunately. A strong performance was cut short after 22Ú3 innings Thursday at Space Coast Stadium when he tried to beat a runner to first base and instead fell awkwardly. Wang landed hard on his side, and his left leg whiplashed behind him as he tumbled. He was later diagnosed with a strained left hamstring and is listed as day-to-day.
It took just seconds for trainer Lee Kuntz to rush to Wang’s side. It took just a few more to decide Wang’s day was finished. He allowed two soft hits and hit a batter. But otherwise, Wang struck out four Yankees and didn’t allow a run in the Nationals’ 8-5 loss.
The play conjured awful memories for Wang, who hurt his right foot running the bases in a June 15, 2008, game against the Houston Astros. That was the beginning of the end of his Yankees career. Wang missed the rest of that season, and when he returned in 2009 he wasn’t the same pitcher. After an April stint on the disabled list, Wang returned to make nine more starts before suffering a torn capsule in his right shoulder.
Wang was unavailable for comment afterward, and manager Davey Johnson said his pitcher was undergoing further tests, possibly including an MRI. But his long-term status won’t be known until Friday at the earliest.
“Hope it’s not serious,” Johnson said. “[Wang] was throwing the ball exceptionally well. I was really pleased with what I’m seeing. Just reaffirms the fact that he’s back. So it’s a really tough break to see that happen.”
But it also could mean a reprieve for starter John Lannan, a stalwart in the rotation the past four years who is fighting for his job this time around. Lannan does have a minor league option left, and general manager Mike Rizzo insists he isn’t trying to trade Lannan.
But there isn’t a spot there if Wang is healthy and productive, and Ross Detwiler has a lock on a swingman role in the bullpen given his relative youth, ceiling and lack of minor league options. Lannan came on in relief in the fifth inning for his third appearance of the spring.
Lannan made his case with two solid innings. He gave up a hit in the fourth but induced a 5-4-3 double play. In the fifth he retired New York in order. But a rough final two frames left an ugly line: six runs, including four earned, on seven hits with a pair of strikeouts and a walk. Given the status of his teammate, though — even one whose performance affects his own job status — Lannan’s concern was elsewhere.
“It [stinks]. [Wang has] been throwing his butt off,” Lannan said. “It seems that he’s almost back. Hopefully there’s no setback. Hopefully he’s OK and he can make his next start.”
