Starlin Castro WORKOUT

www.pikore.com/starlincastro1324

Here is Starlin's latest post of himself getting ready for the season. Not sure I love his choice of bicep curls. I'd have him hold an isometric curl at 90 deg of elbow bend on one arm while the other arm curls through full range at the same time single leg bearfoot balancing on foam but tomato, to-mah-to. In any event keep it up and thanks for sharing Starlin!

CC Sabathia's Knee Degeneration And The Road To 300

Just a few years ago many believed CC Sabathia had the best chance of any active pitcher to reach 300 wins. With 2,775 and 1/3 innings entering the 2015 season CC had pitched more innings by age 32 than any hurler of the last 40 years except Greg Maddux. Over the past two seasons CC’s R knee has shown signs of all this mileage. He was diagnosed with degenerative joint disease and suffers from chronic pain, inflammation and swelling. As a physical therapist and sports rehab junkie I thought it might be fun to chronicle and break down the many procedures and treatments that he has gone through and have been recommended to him along his journey.

CC has been pitching through intermittent knee pain since the 2010 season. He tried reducing stress on the knee by losing weight during multiple off season’s only to put the weight back on over the course of the season. These efforts came to a halt during mid July of the 2014 season when he simply could not pitch through the pain any longer. At this time CC underwent arthroscopic surgery to the knee for debridement and removal of a bone spur. CC was told he would not require microfracture surgery.

For those of you that are not interested in the procedures I'm about to explain, skip ahead otherwise let's dig in!

Microfracture Surgery-

This is an invasive surgical procedure where tiny holes or “microfractures” are made in the bone near the damaged cartilage. These holes are said to release cells in the bone which build new cartilage and repair damaged tissue. The goal is to slow or prevent further cartilage damage. This treatment is usually followed by an intensive bout of physical rehabilitation.

His plan was to rehabilitate the knee and once again reduce weight during the off season. A knee brace was recommended but CC simply wasn’t comfortable pitching with it. CC made it to August of the 2015 season when the pain and swelling became unbearable once again. Over the course of a year and a half CC went through multiple rounds of platelet rich plasma and stem cell injections.

PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) injections-

Platelets and liquid plasma are portions of our blood that contain many factors which promote healing in soft tissue and bone. Blood is drawn from the patient and spun in a centrifuge separating the platelet rich plasma from the blood’s other components. The PRP is then injected into the knee, in this case with the intention of intensifying the body’s healing capacity.

Stem Cell Injections-

Stem cell injections are an alternative to joint replacement and steroids injections. A physician injects amniotic stem cells into the body which act as a natural anti-inflammatory and joint lubricant.

The combination of these treatments, rest, physical therapy and his willingness to use his prescribed knee brace resulted in a fairly effective return to the mound to close the 2015 season. Little did we know he was in need of a different kind of rehab. On October 5th he went to the team requesting help with alcohol addiction.

Due to the degenerative nature of his condition, his size and the position he plays, in my professional opinion I believe it to be unlikely CC's knee will be able to endure the stress of 200 innings any longer and will either have to be nursed through the season or relegated to the bullpen. His dream of achieving 300 wins is over.

Please let me know if you agree or have topics for future discussion in the comment section below.

Dustin Ackley- DAMAGED GOODS?

Dustin Ackley was placed on the DL with back pain after appearing in just 2 games and 3 AB for the Yankees following his acquisition from the Mariners at the 2015 trade deadline.

The former #2 overall draft pick had experienced intermittent lower back issues over the years but was not experiencing issues or seeking treatment at the time of the trade therefore his back problem is now the Yankees problem.

The team initially called his injury a right lower back strain but later admitted Dustin was dealing with a lumbar disc herniation. The prescribed treatment was an epidural injection along with physical therapy.

An epidural injection is a common treatment for this condition which entails the delivery of steroid medication directly around spinal nerve roots to reduce inflammation. Physical therapy would have consisted of repeated spinal movements, joint mobilizations and soft tissue techniques designed to centralize then abolish his symptoms. Once these symptoms were centralized or abolished typical rehab programs for this injury would focus on a progressive core stabilization program to prevent re-injury.

Apparently this treatment plan was effective as Dustin was able to return to play and contribute without exacerbation during the stretch run for the Yankees.

The Yankees have access to the best medical care in the world therefore it is safe to assume Dustin's off season program includes dynamic core stabilization and an overall flexibility program to reduce the risk for re-injury.

With Starlin Castro now the full time 2nd baseman and a crowded OF, it looks like Dustin is going to have a bench role for the Yankees.

It might be a bit more difficult for Dustin to get loose in a pinch if Girardi calls on him however with the new amenities like underground batting cages and vast locker rooms in most stadiums, I don't think this will be too much of a problem. As long as Girardi can keep his bat from becoming stale I don't anticipate Ackley's back from limiting his 2016 performance.

Please let us know what you think Dustin Ackley's contribution will be to the 2016 team in the comment section below.

A-rod/Teixeira/Verlander Fitness programs

Alex posted this picture of himself working on speed and agility today which reminded me of sample programs of Mark Teixeira and Justin Verlander recorded 2 yrs ago. Neither program is perfect but nice to see a sample of how ML players prepare their bodies for the season.

youtu.be/N0_w0MtHQmQ


youtu.be/mnSLyOh8Na4

Mark Teixeria HOT START OR NOT

The injury prone Mark Teixeira was having a healthy and productive MVP type season for the Yankees in 2015. Mark attributed this past season's success to his adoption of a gluten free diet. This on field productivity came to a screeching halt when he fouled a ball off his right proximal medial tibia (inside shin bone) on Aug 17 vs. the Twins.

Initially believed to be a bone bruise, Mark attempted to return to play soon after only to discover in fact he had suffered a tibial fracture and was shut down for the remainder of the season.

The good news from a rehabilitation standpoint is the fracture is below the knee and did not disturb the joint. The bad news is the person with the injury is Mark Teixeira who has demonstrated the recuperative powers of an 80 year old osteoporotic, diabetic, smoker. Typical recovery time for this injury is 4-6 weeks. Mark Teixeira's recovery time has been considerably longer. I guess a gluten free diet doesn't speed bone healing.

Manager, Joe Girardi has said Teixeira's rehab has been going well so far. This may be so, however Mark will not be cleared to return to running until next month. This means he will be far behind his typical off season program of baseball specific lower body activities. Historically Mark is slow to get out of the gate at the start of the season. Maybe this change in off season program is a good thing.

Based on the evidence, I think rookie sensation Greg Bird is going to be needed more during the early 2016 season than many are expecting. Fantasy players proceed with caution with your selection of Mark Teixeira to your team.


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