Carl Pavano: What Can He Do For The Yankees' Rotation?

Since signing a four year contract to play for the Yankees, Carl Pavano has visited the Disabled List multiple times, including, but not limited to, a stint for Tommy John Surgery and another for injuring his buttocks.

Some of Joe Girardi's players claimed that Pavano did not want to pitch. They accused Pavano of not trying his hardest to make a quick return.

Regardless, Pavano returned to pitch against Baltimore on August 23.

Yankees' broadcaster, Michael Kay, told the viewers that Pavano said he was nervous, but in a good way. After all, Pavano had not stepped onto a mound in a Major League game since April 9 of last season.

Pavano appeared to be overthrowing early in the game, possibly because of his adrenaline.

Pavano's nervousness led to an early struggle, as he allowed three hits in the first inning; however, he was baled out by a heads-up double play by Robinson Cano. Nick Markakis was on first and Brian Roberts was on second base when Melvin Mora hit a looper off the inner part of the bat. The soft line drive went over second base, right to where Cano planted himself. Roberts was far enough off the base that Cano was able to tag him out.

Although Aubrey Huff ripped a line drive single to right center, Ramon Hernandez grounded out to short to end the inning.

Pavano gave up two hits and a walk to load the bases with no outs in the second inning. A sacrifice fly, a groundout, and a single back up the middle that had the potential to send Pavano back on the DL, had it hit him, gave the Orioles a 3-2 lead in the game.

After striking out Melvin Mora to end the second inning, Pavano calmed down. He retired the side in order in the third; Following a hit batter and a single in the fourth, he struck out the next three Orioles. After striking out Markakis to end the inning, Pavano gave a Joba fist pump as he walked off the mound.

It was evident that Pavano was pumped and happy to be healthy and on the mound.

Pavano plunked Mora with a pitch to start the fifth, but retired the next three batters to finish his return to the Yankees rotation.

Here is the breakdown of Carl Pavano's pitching performance.

The first 1.2 innings: 6 hits, 1 walk, 0 strikeouts, 45 pitches

The next 3.1 innings: 1 single, 2 hit batters, 5 strikeouts, 46 pitches

Pavano let his pitch count rise over the first two innings, but once he settled in he looked good -- at least good enough to fill a spot in the Yankees pitching rotation.

Let's not forget that Pavano had not pitched at the Major League level since April 9, 2007. That is a full season and a half of inactivity on the Major League level. Not many expected Pavano to look even mediocre, but he was impressive, considering he had not pitched in such a long time.

The Yankees lost Joba Chamberlain to the DL a few weeks ago and it is unclear whether or not he will return as a starter this season. The Yankees would love it if Joba could be healthy enough to return to the rotation, but that is not looking too probable.

If Joba returns to the starting rotation and Pavano continues to pitch well, Joba will most likely kick a struggling Darrel Rasner out of the pitching rotation.

Pavano still has a lot to prove, considering he only has two season records above .500 under his belt. As of now, he is 1-0 in 2008.

Pavano's next start will be Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays.