Oh boy - surely not?

Last night I logged on to Pete Abe's blog only to be faced with this story and the possibility of the Yankees opening day starter being none other than Carl Anthony Pavano.

The oft-injured right hander could be moved up following the DL move of expected starter Chien-Ming Wang and the back spasm problems of Andy Pettitte. Mike Mussina has been ruled out as Joe Torre wants to keep him on regular rest meaning that Pavano, the pencilled #4 starter is now the favourite to take the ball on opening night although Kei Igawa, Jeff Karstens and even Darrell Rasnar can't be ruled out just yet.

If it is to be Pavano, then it'll be quite a turnaround for the former Florida Marlin. After two disappointing seasons in the Bronx, culminating in him not throwing a pitch in anger at the big league level last season, Pavano has got a lot of work to do if he is to repay the huge contract that he was awarded in the 2004/2005 off season, not to mention having to win back the respect of his fellow players and fans.

Wang's hamstring injury isn't cast as serious, and he is fully expected to return to the rotation by the time the calender flicks over to May. Pettitte may still be fit and ready to take the ball on opening night, but from sitting in a fairly comfortable position with a fragile rotation a week ago, suddenly the question marks are flying once more.