Kuroda Injury Overshadows Loss

Tonight's loss wouldn't have mattered as much if Kuroda was to be out due to injury for a significant amount of time. Kuroda was hit by a come-backer and didn't pitch particularly well afterwards. He was pulled in the third inning after showing signs of pain in his back. He grimaced when making pitches, and it was enough for Girardi and the training staff to pull him with runners on first and third with nobody out. Preston Claiborne came in and immediately served up a three run home run to Matt Wieters. The home run by the struggling catcher would turn out being the difference in the game as Adams would hit a home run to give the Yankees a third run in the ninth inning.

 

Kuroda's injury would later be classified as a bruised right calf. After the game Girardi told the media that he would be "shocked" if Kuroda didn't make his next start against the Mets on Tuesday at Citi Field opposite Matt Harvey. Kuroda is a vital part of the Yankees chase to 28. He is basically the ace of the Yankees staff and losing him for an extended period of time would be devastating for the Yankees going forward. So hearing from Girardi that Kuroda will likely make his next is a promising sign for the Yankees. 

The Yankees lost two out of three to an underwhelming Orioles team that was treading water before the Yankees came into town. Tomorrow the Yankees will have an off-day and will get back at it on Friday against Roberto Hernandez aka Fausto Carmona and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. The Yankee have not played well in Tampa over the past couple of years. David Phelps will get the start on Friday.