“Albaladejo Disabled Ala’ Elbow”

Go ahead, say that quickly and out-loud. It sounds like something you would hear on the T.V. when you’re clicking around channels, quickly, and landed on Univisión and then you stayed on it – not because you understand what they’re saying in Spanish…but because there’s some attractive girl on the screen wearing something eye-catching….

Albaladejo Disabled Ala’ Elbow…via Ed Price -

Reliever Jonathan Albaladejo will become the sixth Yankees player to go on the disabled list since the season began.

Albaladejo, who has a 3.95 ERA in seven appearances, left last night’s game with soreness in the back of his right elbow. He will fly to New York today for an examination and an MRI, although the MRI may not be performed today.

“He either has a strained muscle or a sprained ligament,” manager Joe Girardi said.

Chris Britton will be recalled to take the roster spot. Britton was sent down yesterday to make room on the roster for Kei Igawa, last night’s starter, and had just boarded a plane to his home in Nashville, Tenn., when Albaladejo got hurt.

Albaladejo felt the discomfort on two pitches to Placido Polanco in the sixth inning.

“It just felt like a needle going in my elbow,” said Albaladejo, acquired in December from Washington. “Kind of like a burn. It’s all in the back (of the elbow). Hopefully in a couple of weeks, I can be back.”

This may not be true – as it’s just my opinion. And, even if it’s true, we may never hear it told as being true. But, I think Albaladejo’s elbow can send Joe Girardi the bill for his medical treatment – as I think General Joe rushed the kid into action…leading to his injury.

Kei Igawa had allowed three singles on four pitches to start off the bottom of the 4th inning – which brought Dave Eiland to the mound for a visit. It was just about this time, if I recall correctly, that Albaladejo started warming up in the bullpen. But, even if Albaladejo was up to start the inning, he wasn’t up for long because Igawa only threw four pitches.

Two pitches later, Igawa allows another single (to Polanco) and then Girardi comes out to remove him and bring in Albaladejo.

So, somewhere between the time it took Igawa to throw two to six pitches was all the time that Girardi allowed Albaladejo to warm up before he came into the game. That doesn’t seem like much, does it? And, then, 36 pitches later, Albaladejo’s elbow explodes.

No good Joe. Not good at all.