Posada heading to the DL

Usually watching Chien-Ming Wang dominate opposing hitters makes for a great day. However, as I watched today's game, my usual enjoyment was soured by a sense of impending doom. Minutes before the game, Jorge Posada was scratched from the lineup with no explanation, and the Yankees provided no information as the game wore on. Finally, the New York Times reported that Posada had suffered a muscle tear in his subscapularis muscle. It's uncertain whether he'll need surgery or how long he might be out, but he's already been put on the DL for the first time in his 13 year career.

Anyway, I'm sure some of you are wondering which of the shoulder's many muscles is the subscapularis. The shoulder's a bit too complicated for me to try and make a diagram, but there is an easy exercise you can do. First, raise your right arm with your elbow at a ninety degree angle, like you're taking an oath. Then, stand in a doorway so that your palm and forearm are pushing against the wall. As you lean forward, you'll feel your subscapularis stretch in your chest and shoulder. Now imagine trying to throw a baseball without full use of that muscle, and you'll understand the predicament Jorge Posada finds himself in.