Carl Pavano's Back?

According to a report in a Conneticut newspaper, Carl Pavano's poor outing in 2005 was due to an injury that he sustained in Spring training of last year. He hurt his lower back while throwing and had to change his throwing motion to ease his lower back pain. The change in throwing motion is what caused his shoulder to get injured during the season.

There's no question that 2005 was a disappointing season for Carl Pavano. The Yankees were expected him to be one of their top pitchers after singing him to a 4-year, 39.95 million dollar contract. Carl was strongly pursued by the Yankees, Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, and the Detroit Tigers.

Just last week, the Yankees sent Pavano to a back specialist in California after he began feeling lower back stiffness during a throwing session. Fortunately, he was pronounced as having a healthy lower back and is set to resume throwing again when training camp starts later this week.

According to Brian Cashman, the visit to the back specialist was a precautionary move given what happened to Carl last Spring. Pavano felt twinges of discomfort about two weeks ago at the Yankees' minor league complex in Florida after throwing on flat ground.

For now, Pavano continues to follow an exercise program that is aimed at improving the strength and conditioning of his core - his lower back and abdominal muscles.

Let's hope that Carl Pavano's back doesn't give him any more trouble and that he has a career year.

- Joshua
InsideTheYankees.com