Rafael Soriano May Miss Time After Tearing Nail on Middle Finger

While warming up during Tuesday's game against the Baltimore Orioles, the New York Yankees' Rafael Soriano tore the nail on his middle finger throwing a slider.

Soriano ended up not pitching in the game, and manager Joe Girardi is unsure if he'll be available to pitch in Wednesday's game.

Instead of putting Soriano into the game, Girardi decided to leave in rookie David Phelps.

By the 11th inning, Girardi was tempted to use Soriano anyway.

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"When it got to the 11th inning, I said, 'Can the trainer go down there and see if they can file it off and get it to stop bleeding?'" They got it to stop bleeding and it was a question, 'Can I use him or not?' Me and [pitching coach Larry Rothschild] were going back-and-forth because if you put him in there and it starts bleeding again you could be in trouble. Now, the only guy you have left is Mariano [Rivera]."

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Thankfully the game didn't go any longer than the 12th inning, as the Yankees would have had nobody left to follow Rivera.

Soriano was strong in his lone appearance this season, walking one and striking out one in one inning of work. He didn't allow a run.

CC Sabathia now has even more responsibility in Wednesday night's game, as he'll be asked to follow up a shaky performance and give the Yankees some length.

Girardi used six relievers in the 12-inning affair on Tuesday night, so Sabathia can really help the club by giving them seven strong.

With Soriano's status up in the air, the Yankees could really benefit from a long outing from their unquestioned ace.