Wang to get second opinion on his ailing shoulder

NEW YORK (AP) - Chien-Ming Wang is awaiting a second opinion on his injured right throwing shoulder, and manager Joe Girardi didn't sound optimistic about getting the sinkerballer back this season.

Wang went on the 15-day disabled list July 5 with a strained right shoulder. After two weeks of rest, he played catch Monday and experienced more discomfort.

Wang was examined Wednesday by New York Mets medical director Dr. David Altchek. The Yankees had planned to send the test results to noted orthopedist Dr. James Andrews for another opinion, but had not received an assessment back Friday afternoon.

"I don't really know the best-case scenario," manager Joe Girardi said Friday. "You know, I thought the best-case scenario would be he would pitch Sept. 1. I'm not sure that's possible now with the setback."

Wang is receiving treatment and doing range-of-motion drills while the team awaits the test results and decides on a course of rehabilitation. Girardi hesitated when asked to put any kind of timetable on his return.

"Anyone suffers an injury, I don't think you can say you're going to count on him on this day, because there are setbacks that take place," Girardi said. "We would love to have him back as soon as possible, but it's not something I can say that's going to happen."

After winning 19 games in 2006 and 2007, Wang missed the final 3 1/2 months last season after injuring his right foot while running the bases in Houston. He's just 1-6 with a 9.64 ERA in 12 games this season, after missing time from April 19 to May 21 with a hip injury.

New York called up Sergio Mitre from the minors to take Wang's spot in the rotation and he beat Baltimore 6-4 on Tuesday night for his first major league win since July 29, 2007.

The Yankees could be looking for a fifth starter as the non-waiver trade deadline nears. Girardi also said he hasn't ruled out super-sub Phil Hughes returning to the rotation. Since moving to the bullpen, Hughes has allowed only two earned runs in 17 appearances.

"There are so many other parts that go into that, how everyone else is throwing in the bullpen," Girardi said. "I wouldn't say that he would not start a game the rest of the year, but I cannot tell you he will."