NEW YORK (AP) -- Yankees manager Joe Torre raised the possibility that Carl Pavano would need surgery, and general manager Brian Cashman admitted the oft-injured pitcher has been a bust with New York since signing a $39.95 million, four-year contract.
"It clearly hasn't worked out. There's no doubt about that," Cashman said Friday. "We signed a player that we expected to be a horse in our rotation and it hasn't worked out. He physically hasn't held up. Period."
Pavano hasn't pitched because of April 9 because of forearm soreness and was attempting to be examined Friday by Dr. James Andrews, Cashman said. Pavano was 1-0 with a 4.76 ERA in two starts before getting hurt, his first two appearances for the Yankees since June 27, 2005.
Before reporting to spring training healthy, Pavano missed 11/2 years because of shoulder, back, buttocks, elbow and rib injuries. He cut short a bullpen session Wednesday in Texas after about 14 pitches, according to Torre. Pitching coach Ron Guidry gave a report to Cashman.
"It just didn't feel right and it was bothering him. Gator confirmed that," Cashman said. "He said basically you could tell that it was not a comfortable situation. He couldn't allow the bullpen to continue as is, so the next step is, well, let's get another opinion."
Torre wasn't sure what would happen with Pavano, who is 5-6 in 19 starts with the Yankees.
"I think he's pretty much going to go along with whatever the doctor suggests," Torre said. "He certainly isn't having any fun doing what he's doing, and if surgery is the only answer to changing that, then I think he'll probably consider it."
Torre also suggested the injury might be more than forearm soreness.
"Obviously, it's elbow related," he said "so we'll see what the doctor says."
