Wang's shaky return

As a precaution, Wang returned to the Yankees today. He was needed because Joba's torpidity taxed the bullpen so badly against Baltimore (we've now learned that Joba's leg is neither bruised nor swollen. So I ask again, why did he leave the game?)

Anyway, Wang arrived in the 7th and didn't pitch particularly well. He gave up 6 hits and two runs, including a monster shot by the current major league home run leader, and a walk. He struck out two, got 4 ground ball outs and got 3 fly ball outs in three complete innings.

That said, a close look revealed that Wang still has work to do. His sinker sunk but his fastball wasn't especially fast. He had decent control, but several pitches hung up fat for hitters to crush. Even though he got 4 ground balls and 3 fly ball outs, more than half of those outs were very hard hit.

It might be slightly unfair to judge Wang too harshly on his performance against a lineup that not even Burnett could properly handle. Still, I think he should have been better. We'll see if he improves in his next appearance. The Yankees seem to want to give him multiple opportunities, and that must be helping his confidence, which is probably the most important piece of the puzzle.