WHY SORIANO WILL BE FINE

On Tuesday Yankees' high priced setup man Rafael Soriano was placed on the 15 day DL due to elbow inflammation. It is retroactive to May 14th, so he'll be able to come back sooner than the 15 days. This is a big blow to the Yankee bullpen as they were counting on Soriano to be a dominant setup man that can stay healthy for the duration of the 162 game season. He's off to a rough start obviously, but there is no need to panic. Soriano will be back, and he will dominate.

"He's just got a little inflammation," Manager Joe Girardi told ESPN New York about Soriano's injury. "I sure hope [Soriano is back in two weeks]. That's the plan. I can't tell you that's what it's going to be. We'll see."

Compared to last season as the closer for the Tampa Bay Rays, Soriano has really struggled. Last season Soriano had the most saves in the American League with 45. He also posted a 1.73 ERA while earning his first All Star bid. He even finished 8th in the AL CY Young Award voting. In 2009 with the Braves as a setup man, he had a solid 2.97 ERA in 77 games. And in his 75.2 innings of work that season, he punched out 102 batters. But, this season he has posted a not so pretty 5.40 ERA in 16 games. He has allowed 15 hits and 11 walks in 15 innings pitched. The real alarming stat is that he has allowed a base runner to reach in every single outing but one. Which was the one outing you ask? Opening Day against the Tigers. That's 15 consecutive appearances that he's allowed at least one base runner to reach.

I know Soriano has gotten off to a rough start. I can recall him blowing a four run lead against the Twins early in the season, which cost the Yanks a win--and after the game he vanished from reporters, a big no-no in the Bronx. Against the White Sox, he allowed the game-winning homerun to Paul Konerko, resulting in another blown win for the Yankees. I know that is certainly not the right foot you want to get on while starting your career as a Yankee, but it's not like he's the only high priced free agent to do so. Look at Goose Gossage. (Photo: Getty)

He struggled mightily in the beginning of his Yankee career. We all know he bounced back from that and became legendary. Look at some of the current Yankee high priced free agents in CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira. Sabathia really struggled in April, and I remember all too well Teixeira getting booed loudly in his first month as a Yankee.

Soriano was starting to get back on track before being placed on the shelf. After giving up the game-winning homerun to Paul Konerko on May 26th, Soriano did not allow a run in his next five outings, leading to his trip to the disabled list. He lowered his ERA from 7.84 to 5.40. Let’s take a deep breath, and get some perspective on this. Believe me; I can't stand Soriano's early struggles just as much as any Yankee fan in the world. But, I have two guarantees that you can put me on the record for.

Soriano will not allow a base runner in every game he pitches once he comes off the DL. Remember, he has allowed at least one base runner in 15 of his 16 games this season.

When Soriano comes off the DL, you can book it that he'll pitch like he did for the Rays in 2010 or the Braves in 2009. Watch, this guy is a major force and he'll be more than a solid bridge to Mo Rivera when he comes off the shelf.

After all, Mo has faith in the guy, are you going to tell me you don’t trust Mo?

--Jesse Schindler, BYB Staff Writer




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