TORONTO — Yankees manager Joe Girardi is not impressed with the facilities at Rogers Centre.
Girardi criticized the visiting clubhouse’s weight room on Sunday when asked about the physical rehabilitation program of starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka.
Tanaka made the trip to Toronto for New York’s three-game series with the Blue Jays. However, he was sent back to New York to continue physiotherapy for general arm soreness. Girardi was clearly frustrated when asked by media about the move before Sunday’s game.
“The facilities are better there and that’s why we sent him back,” said Girardi. “I know you get upset but, I mean, I told you why we did it. We’re not hiding anything.”
When a reporter insisted that they weren’t upset, but that they thought it was an unusual move, Girardi became more animated.
“Has anyone seen the weight room? It’s about as big as this area we’re in right now, this little room,” said Girardi, gesturing to the crowded visitors’ dugout. “It doesn’t have a SwimEx. It doesn’t have all the modalities. I mean, I told you, I’m concerned about him. I am concerned about him.
“We just felt it was more productive for him to be there.”
A SwimEx is a small pool that uses jets to create a constant current, allowing users to swim in place. Modalities refers to a variety of treatments including hot packs, cold packs and ultrasound.