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Jorge Posada to have season-ending surgery

BY ARTHUR STAPLE | arthur.staple@newsday.com

7:22 PM EDT, July 28, 2008

Jorge Posada said just after 4 p.m. Monday that he hoped he was still in the Yankees' plans.

He meant for this season, but a couple hours later, the Yankees decided Posada would be better off in the team's plans for 2009. He will undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder at some undetermined point in the near future. The surgery, to be performed by Mets team orthopedist David Altchek, will keep Posada out a minimum of six months and his return by the start of spring training is far from assured.

"This is something that he knew he needed and that he wanted," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said before the game. "He was delaying only because we asked him. Now that's filled and there's no reason to wait anymore."

Trading for Xavier Nady on Saturday gave the Yankees an extra bat for the lineup and took the pressure off Posada trying to return. He did take a few swings during batting practice yesterday, but he came into the clubhouse and met with Cashman, who had already spoken with Hal Steinbrenner in person and Hank Steinbrenner on the phone to apprise them of the decision to shut Posada down.

"I've always taken pride in being there for my team and playing every day with them," Posada said in a statement released by the team before game time. "As difficult as it is, I can focus on coming back 100 percent for next season instead of coming back at less than that now."

The Yankees' decision does not mean they are actively seeking another catcher, Cashman said. Jose Molina and Chad Moeller were it even if Posada could still play, because he wouldn't have been catching.

"I have to be [comfortable with Molina and Moeller]," Cashman said. "Catching is really difficult to find. Moeller has given us nice depth and filled in really well when Jorge was down and become a nice backup for us. Ultimately, do I anticipate that changing? I don't."

Posada, one of the emotional leaders of the team, told reporters before the surgery was announced he was especially bummed to be sitting by while his team reeled off eight straight wins after the All-Star break. "The way the guys are playing, I want to be a part of this too," he said. "This is pretty special, what the guys are doing. I'd hate to miss it."

Now, though, he will. Cashman could not be certain that Posada's shoulder will be healed by February. "You can't expect anything with shoulder surgery. You hope," he said. "Whenever you mess with shoulders, those are the dangerous ones."

But Posada swore he'll still be around to support his teammates, just as he confirmed Cashman's saying that the catcher took the news of the surgery without a fight.

"I still plan on being a teammate and friend to the guys I share this room with," Posada said. "I may not be playing, but I want to be a part of this team and the run we're on."