More than any other Yankee, perhaps, Jorge Posada understands what lies ahead for Chien-Ming Wang, who had surgery Wednesday to repair a torn shoulder capsule. Posada, the Yankees' catcher, had his capsule tightened last July when his labrum was repaired, and he was optimistic about Wang's recovery. 'As a pitcher, it's different, and I don't know how bad his shoulder was,' Posada said. 'But with surgery, he's going to be fine. He's going to be stronger, I really think so, when everything's intact and where it needs to be.' Dr. James Andrews performed Wang's surgery in Birmingham, Ala., and manager Joe Girardi said the Yankees were awaiting word on the results. Until hearing Andrews' report, Girardi said, the Yankees would not know the severity of Wang's injury or his expected recovery time. Wang was 1-6 with a 9.64 earned run average this season, initially struggling to regain arm strength after his foot injury last June. He was gradually making progress until his shoulder flared up July 4. Now, Posada said, Wang has another chance to concentrate fully on recovery without worrying about affecting the team. 'I had a conversation with him, and I really told him that now it's about Wang; it's not about the Yankees anymore,' Posada said. 'He's got to be healthy and take care of himself. Whatever he's got to do to be Wang again, he's got to do it.' The Yankees may not tender a contract to Wang, which would make him a free agent, but Posada said he could not imagine Wang leaving. 'I hope that's not the case,' Posada said. 'I think of Wang as a Yankee, and he wants to be here.' YANKEES ACQUIRE PITCHER The Yankees made a minor trade Wednesday, acquiring the right-hander Jason Hirsh from the Colorado Rockies for a player to be named. Hirsh, who was 6-7 with a 6.66 ERA for Triple-A Colorado Springs, was assigned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Hirsh, 27, is 6 feet 8 inches and was a rising star for the Houston Astros when he was traded before the 2007 season for Jason Jennings. Hirsh made 19 starts for Colorado that year, going 5-7 with a 4.81 ERA. But he pitched in only four games last season and has been in the minors for all of 2009. Hirsh will give the Yankees depth at Scranton, where the veteran Josh Towers has pitched well lately. ACEVES NEARING RETURN Reliever Alfredo Aceves played long toss and made about 20 throws off a mound before batting practice Wednesday. Aceves has missed four days with shoulder fatigue but has been working with the trainer Gene Monahan and expects to be ready Thursday in Chicago. 'I feel great,' Aceves said. 'Today in the morning when I woke up, I feel strong in my shoulder.' Aceves' progress is important, not only because he has been a reliable middle reliever but also because he could be stretched out as a starter if the Yankees acquire a relief pitcher in a trade. The Yankees have found a friendly trading partner during recent seasons in the Pittsburgh Pirates, but as of Wednesday had not pursued relievers Matt Capps or John Grabow. The left-hander Damaso Marte, who was acquired from Pittsburgh last July, threw only 88 miles an hour in his appearance for Scranton on Tuesday as he tries to overcome shoulder inflammation. Marte had been clocked at 93 mph earlier in his rehabilitation assignment. The right-hander Brett Tomko, who made 15 relief appearances for the Yankees this season, was given his formal release. Tomko was removed from the roster last week. VISITING BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB C.C. Sabathia and the Tampa Bay Rays' Carl Crawford spoke to about 200 members of a local Boys and Girls Club before the game. Sabathia, from Vallejo, Calif., and Crawford, from Houston, both grew up going to the Boys and Girls Club. 'I remember Dave Stewart coming to my Boys and Girls Club talking to us for an hour when I was 8 or 9 years old,' Sabathia said, referring to the former ace of the Oakland Athletics. 'I remember that being such a big deal. To be able to get in front of these kids, maybe one of them will be standing where I'm at today.' Part of the message, Sabathia said, was to encourage African-American children to participate in baseball. LOOKING FOR HITTING HELP With the Yankees facing three left-handers in Chicago this weekend, manager Joe Girardi said he would ideally like to add a right-handed-hitting outfielder for the series. Girardi said Shelley Duncan, who has 25 homers and 75 RBI for Scranton, would be considered. The Yankees face Clayton Richard on Friday, John Danks on Saturday and Mark Buehrle on Sunday. 