Unit Needs An Oil Change?

From BP via SI -

Apparently, Randy Johnson didn’t think his shoulder stiffness was a baseball decision. Johnson was lifted from his start after five innings and 87 pitches, something that has less to do with his shoulder and more to do with his knees. When Johnson’s knees are pain-free (or, more likely, pain-reduced) in the effective period of his Synvisc injections, his mechanics are smooth. While I do not know when Johnson had his last series of injections, his mechanics in tonight’s game implied that he was due for a new series of Synvisc. If you want a key, watch the chest of his jersey. When he’s right, the jersey pops out as he’s about to release the ball. When he’s not, his delivery is much more of a long arc that stresses — you guessed it — the shoulder. Johnson’s quick hook was a baseball decision; the Yankees can’t afford to stress his arm in this condition if they intend to win. It would be interesting to know when Johnson’s last series of injections was, to gauge whether or not the lubrication is having a shorter period of effectiveness.

I missed this report over the weekend. And, as far as I know, none of the New York media is running with it. It will be interesting to see if the guys in the YES booth make any mention of it in Johnson’s next start.