KND Report: Chien-Ming Wang hits DL

April 25, 9:47 PMAsian-American Sports ExaminerMichael Street

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Blowing on his hand didn't help Wang
after giving up a grand slam to Shin-soo Choo.
Will rehabbing his weak hip adductor muscles
be any better? (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

What's wrong with Wang?

That question has plagued the Yankees thus far this year, as their #3 starter Chien-Ming Wang has pitched a total of six innings in three starts, giving up 23 runs total—7 in the first outing, and 8 in each of his next two.

He's thrown on the side and they've checked his injured foot and his mechanics, to no avail.

Now they have the answer—maybe. Wang hit the DL today with "weakness in the adductor muscles of both hips," according to their website.

Wang met with Dr. Mark Lindsay, who has been treating Alex Rodriguez and his hip problems, and received the weak adductor diagnosis.

According to the diagnosis, Wang's foot problems (a Lisfranc injury, if you must know) prevented him from working out completely. His cardio workouts have been on a stationary bike, not on his feet, and that (allegedly) has led to the hip problems.

So Wang will work on strengthening those muscles for the next two weeks, while another pitcher (probably Phil Hughes) will take his spot in the rotation.

Is the diagnosis serious? Maybe, maybe not. New York needed to Yank Wang out of the rotation, and this gives them the ability to fill his roster spot while they further try and figure out what the heck is wrong with him.

It's not unusual for a team to "diagnose" an injury like this, and their doctors are happy to comply, much the same as your doctor would write you a pain prescription just to get you out of his office and stop your whining.

Really, only time will tell if this will help Wang improve and whether the end result comes because his hips are stronger or because he's ironed out whatever issues he's having with his sinker delivery won't really matter.

In the meantime, Hughes (long expected to fill a rotation spot in New York) could always fulfill his promise and stick in the rotation, leaving Wang out in the cold.

Remember Wally Pipp, whose headache opened the door for Lou Gehrig and his epic string of games?

Only time will tell what's wrong with Wang, and fans of the Yankees and Asian baseball players can only hope that he figures his problems out, whatever the diagnosis.