Wang to Start on DL

Chien-Ming Wang will begin 2007 on the disabled list due to a pulled hamstring. As was the case with Andy Pettitte’s back spasms, this is not cause to hit the panic button. This is a relatively minor injury. The most important thing is that it is not an arm ailment. Wang has the entire season in front of him. He just needs to rest up and fully heal. If he did not, he would risk greater injury to both his hamstring and his arm since he might overcompensate for his hamstring and do something to mess up his mechanics. The only bad news is that due to the current pitching schedule, that probably leaves Carl Pavano to make the Opening Day start. There is no pitcher less worthy of the honor that comes with pitching at the storied ballpark in the Bronx on the first day of the season, not that it will really affect the team that much. Starting on Opening Day is ceremonial. It is just one of the five days in which a starter might take the mound.