So apparently in Spring Training Yankees Manager Joe Girardi asked his players to drop and give him 15.  And they did so accordingly, dropping right onto the 15 day DL.  So now the Yankees try to figure out just what condition their condition is in.  Thus far one really has to wonder what the impact was of all that.

 When looking at the Yankees roster from top to bottom there has been a plethora of injuries.  Jorge Posada will be put on the 15 day DL for the first time in his career with a potential shoulder tear. 

Jason Giambi had groin issues in the early going.  Andy Pettitte was pushed back in the rotation at the beginning of the season with back spasms.  After losing about 20 pounds in the off-season, reliever Brian Bruney may be done for the season with surgery on his right foot.  Kyle Farnsworth felt a twinge in his elbow, throwing off the mound in Chicago.  The Yankees are without a lefty in their bullpen because Sean Henn developed shoulder tendonitis this spring. 

 Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez have both suffered quad injuries.  Pitcher Jeff Karstens is on the DL with a groin injury.  The Yankees other catcher Jose Molina was beset by a hamstring injury.  Infielder Wilson Betemit is also on the 15 day DL with corneal ulcers.  Even Joba Chamberlain tweaked his hamstring while slipping on the mound in Chicago. 

And Mike Mussina's renewed commitment to a more rigorous regiment hasn't exactly translated to quality outings or increased velocity on the hill.

So while I applaud Girardi's philosophy of really pushing his players to bust it and get in great shape, I do find it to be a precarious situation to have evolved this far to this point with these injuries. 

Are they too old or were they just pushed too hard?  Well here's my take, playing in the cold weather is horrible for older clubs and it takes them longer to get loose and comfortable.  Discounting the steroid allegations, even an old 46 year old workout freak like Roger Clemens broke down on numerous occasions for the Yankees last season, so it does happen to old guys.  I also believe that more than anything else Girardi was simply trying to foster a different, more focused mindset so that his players would know to be ready from day one.