Wang will remain in the rotation

From Jared Diamond (MLB):

Girardi said on Saturday that Wang will not only make his scheduled start — in Sunday’s series finale against the Mets — but he will also pitch next Saturday against the Blue Jays regardless of Sunday’s outcome. Though Wang comes into his outing at Citi Field with an 0-6 record and a dismal 11.20 ERA, the Yankees are confident he is ready to take his place in the starting rotation on a more permanent basis.

Here’s what Girardi said, in fact.

“He had to show us better stuff, better command and the ability to pitch deeper into games, and he showed us that,” Girardi said of Wang. “So he’s not necessarily start-by-start anymore.”

The Yankees should give Wang the benefit of the doubt as his velocity has improved significantly after spending a few weeks in Tampa. If the velocity is up and his mechanics are sound, which apparently they are, then there is no reason to believe that he won’t come around. Of course, Girardi did use the phrase “not necessarily” when describing Wang’s start-by-start status, which adds a wrinkle to the statement. Consider it an opt-out if Wang falls apart over the next week (Phil Hughes is still around for a reason).