Carl Pavano May Need Surgery

Carl Pavano has gone from enjoying the prestigious role of New York Yankees' Opening Day Starter to sitting on the DL - the possibility of surgery looming.

And for $40 million clams, all the Bronx Bombers may get out of the once-promising pitcher is a handful of mediocre starts... even though that may seem like pennies compared to what they plan to shell out for the services of The Rocket for the remainder of this season.

Pavano was examined Friday and while some damage was found in his pitching elbow, the ligament was not torn. The club would obviously like Pavano to try and rehab without an operation, but the papier-mâché pitcher is leaning toward surgery, according to a New York official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Unfortunately, the average recovery time for Tommy John surgery is usually 12 to 18 months.

Pavano is 5-7 in 19 starts with the Yankees, who gave away signed him to a $39.95 million, four-year contract before the 2005 season. He went 4-6 with a 4.77 ERA in 17 starts during his first stint before being sidelined by shoulder, back, buttocks, elbow and rib injuries.

After returning just last month, he managed to go 1-0 in his only two starts this year, compiling a 4.76 ERA, before feeling forearm soreness during his second outing.

[Newsday] | [River Ave. Blues]