Nova To The DL With Shoulder Inflammation

From Marc Carig:

The Yankees placed starting pitcher Ivan Nova on the disabled list today, the team announced, when an MRI exam discovered inflammation in his right rotator cuff.

Nova will not play catch for at least five days. After visiting with team physician Christopher Ahmad in New York, Nova will be prescribed medicine and rest.

Placing Nova on the DL also clears a roster spot for ace lefty CC Sabathia, who is expected to be activated for Friday's series opener against the Indians.

This also allows the struggling Joba Chamberlain to stay on the active roster, which I believe is a mistake. David Phelps will also remain in the rotation until Nova returns.

Matthews: Yankees Need To Send Joba Back To The Minors

From Wallace Matthews:

As votes of confidences go, this was a particularly weak one.

"I don't anticipate us making any changes tonight," said manager Joe Girardi, under questioning that, when boiled down to its essence, amounted pretty much to this: What are you going to do with Joba Chamberlain?

OK, so maybe not Monday night, not in the immediate aftershock of the New York Yankees' 9-6 loss to the Chicago White Sox in the first game of a three-game series.

But maybe it will be Tuesday. Or Wednesday. Or by the end of the week, when, barring a setback, it is expected that CC Sabathia will be reactivated from the disabled list in time to pitch on Friday in Cleveland.

But some day soon, the announcement will come that the return of Joba Chamberlain has been put on hold, and that the 26-year-old right-hander who already is beginning to look and sound as shopworn as Derek Lowe, will be heading back down to the minors in an effort to regain his touch.

In fact, the only thing that seems to be keeping him on the Yankees' roster right now is necessity -- that and a spare roster spot with Sabathia on the DL at least until Thursday.

...

Since he returned on Aug. 1, he has been consistently hittable and increasingly disappointing. He has made seven appearances and allowed runs in five of them and allowed an inherited runner to score in a sixth. He has surrendered 15 hits in 6 2/3 innings and allowed seven earned runs. His ERA is 9.45.

...
Obviously, the Yankees didn't allow him to take enough time to get back. They saw his velocity and they saw that he was pain-free and decided he was major league ready. The results so far tell you another story. Their recklessness in this regard is especially shocking when you recall the Joba Rules, in which they treated their 21-year-old phenom as if he were made of porcelain.

Now, he is 26, his best days may well be behind him, and the Yankees need another right-hander in their bullpen.

"I'm not concerned about him long-term," Girardi said. "But short-term, yeah, I am. We've got to try to get him right."

If Joba Chamberlain is ever going to get himself right, it's not going to be on a major league mound getting smacked around by a first-place team.

Girardi must know this, and by his lukewarm vote of confidence Monday night, he seemed to be letting all of us know it, too.

Watching Joba pitch these days is just depressing and it's clear that he's rusty. At this point, I don't see any other valid option besides sending him down. With the lead in the division down to just four games the Yankees can't afford to be blowing any more games because of Joba.

What do you think? Should Joba be sent down?

Joba Will Be Activated Tonight

Joba To Pitch In Trenton Today (Updated)

Joba just finished his outing in Trenton. In 1.1 innings pitched, he allowed a single and struck out 3. He threw 30 pitches, 23 for strikes, and hit 98 MPH. Apparently, his stuff was filthy.

From Mike Vorkunov:

Joba Chamberlain will make a rehab appearance in Trenton today with the Yankees' Double-A affiliate. He will enter into the game with two outs in an inning then stay in to pitch the following inning, in hopes of simulating what he would do at the major-league level. He has been placed on a limit of 30 pitches in an inning.

...

“Yeah, I feel like I’m ready,” Chamberlain said Friday. “Obviously, physical part is over. Now it’s just the mental part of getting in a routine and trusting your pitches and trusting you can get guys out.”

It's also mentioned in the article that Trenton manager Tony Franklin was unsure how long Joba would be with the team, but it's possible Joba could remain there until Tuesday.

Check back later for an update on his outing.

Joba Takes One Step Closer To His Return

The Yankees will decide what happens next after Joba throws in front of the brass on Friday. If everything goes well I suspect he'll be activated pretty soon.

Updates on Gardner and Joba

George A. King III is reporting that Brett Gardner had arthroscopic surgery on his injured right elbow today and everything went as planned. Team physician Chris Ahmad performed the surgery and said there told Gardner's agent that there were "no surprises" and "they found what they expected to find."

On the positive side of things, Brian Cashman was raving about Joba Chamberlain's recovery today while on WFAN:

“Joba’s out of control. The stuff he’s featuring is remarkable. He’s as high as 100 (mph) but upwards consistently (at) 96, 97, 98. He looks really good.”

...

“He’s an amazing guy,” Cashman said on WFAN. “He’s been hurt, he gets hurt a lot, but then his recovery time is like super-human -- always beats the standard. So yeah, he’s due back here shortly. I mean, the worst-case scenario would be the first week of August, but he should be here ahead of that.”

Joba Hits Triple-Digits, Girardi Thrilled

First we heard he was in the mid-to-high 90's but apparently he was actually throwing harder. Here's the story from George A. King III:

Joba Chamberlain’s fastball was clocked at 100 mph, according to a speed gun at his rehab appearance Friday night in Bradenton, Fla.

Yet the Yankees didn’t need to see triple digits to understand Chamberlain’s return from Tommy John surgery last summer and right ankle surgery in March has been spotless.

“I don’t think it could have gone any more smoothly,’’ Girardi said of the four-game rehab stint that continues Tuesday. “He has thrown two innings [in one game] and 32 pitches [Friday]. I don’t see how it could be any better.’’

Joba will throw another bullpen session today, and then get in some more game action on Tuesday. The Yankees may then have him pitch again on Wednesday to see if he can handle back-to-back appearances.

Joba could be back before the end of the month

From George A. King III:

Chamberlain, whose 30-day rehab assignment expires Aug. 8, made his fourth outing Friday night in Bradenton, Fla.

In two innings for Single-A Tampa, he gave up a run, two hits, fanned one and walked one.

According to Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild, Chamberlain’s fastball was clocked in the mid-90s.

The plan is for Chamberlain to throw a bullpen session Monday. The next test will have Chamberlain throw in back-to-back games. If he comes through that exercise with no problems, he could come off the disabled list before the end of July.

I'm sure the Yankees will be very cautious with Joba, so this might be pushing it a bit. But whether he returns at the end of July or early August, the Yankees specialist-filled relief core could use a guy like Joba so whenever he gets back it will be a welcomed sight.

Joba To Throw Again Today

From Mark Feinsand:

Joba Chamberlain (elbow and ankle surgeries) is slated to throw Friday for the fourth time since starting his rehab assignment last week.

Chamberlain, who threw a scoreless inning Tuesday for the Gulf Coast League Yankees in Tampa, has not allowed a hit or a walk in his four innings, striking out six. He has given up one unearned run.

Girardi called the reports "very positive" on Chamberlain, but said he hasn't started to anticipate when he'll have the reliever back.

"I haven't done that because he hasn't went back-to-back yet," Girardi said. "I think once we get him going back-to-back I think you'll have a better idea.

"You want to see how he responds the second day. Those 30 days are ticking."

I have nothing more to add. Just another piece of good news on the Joba front.

Joba Continues His Speedy & Impressive Recovery

From George A. King III:

Joba Chamberlain is about to take the biggest step of his minor league rehab program and move closer to returning to the big leagues.

After throwing one inning for the Yankees’ team in the Gulf Coast League Tuesday, the plan calls for Chamberlain to pitch two frames for Single-A Tampa on Friday in Bradenton.

Chamberlain fanned two of the three Phillies’ low-level batters he faced, averaged 95 to 96 mph with the fastball and was clocked at 98.

The Yankees are monitoring what relievers will be available at the July 31 trade deadline. Nevertheless, if Chamberlain continues to progress at the rate he has through three Gulf Coast League outings, the Yankees might have a better arm to add than anyone on the market without having to give anything up.

Chamberlain is coming back from Tommy John surgery last summer and ankle surgery this past March.

“We are encouraged and it seems like we are getting through this,’’ manager Joe Girardi said of Chamberlain, whose 30-day rehab assignment ends Aug. 8. “It shouldn’t be a real long time.’’

Joba still needs to get over a few hurdles--pitching on back-to-back days and shortening the amount of days off in between appearances--but with the velocity where it is and Joba apparently suffering no discomfort, I wouldn't be too concerned about those hurdles.

Updates on Gardner and Joba

From Mark Feisand:

Joba Chamberlain made his first rehab appearance in the Gulf Coast League on Tuesday, allowing an unearned run in an inning of work.

Chamberlain, who is returning from both Tommy John elbow surgery and an open dislocation of his right ankle, struck out two batters, hitting as high as 97 mph on the radar gun. Brian Cashman said Chamberlain would “probably not” need the full 30 days allotted for his rehab assignment, though the Yankees are not projecting a date for his return.

...

As for Brett Gardner, he continues to work his way toward a rehab assignment, passing every test such as dry swings and tee-and-toss work.

Cashman believes the Yankees will get their left fielder back at some point, though given the fact that Gardner has made it to rehab assignments twice before only to be shut down, the GM isn’t putting a timetable on it.

Joba progress has been pretty remarkable and from what we've already seen I wouldn't be surprised if he does come back before the 30 days. The addition of Joba, especially if he's throwing 97 mph, will obviously be a nice boost to the pen down the stretch.

As for Gardner, this team could definitely use his speed and defense, so let's just hope he can get through his next rehab assignment. According to another report, Cashman said the earliest Gardner could return will be on July 27th.

Joba "2 Weeks" Away From Rehab Stint

This could be very good news for the Yanks. It's assumed that he'll need about a 30-day rehab stint which would set him up for a mid-August return, which earlier in the year seemed impossible.

Girardi Believes Joba Will Pitch This Year

From Roger Rubin:

With reliever David Robertson and outfielder Brett Gardner close to beginning minor league rehab assignments, Joe Girardi is asked daily about their progress. On Saturday he brought other, unexpected, rehab news: reliever Joba Chamberlain is throwing pitches from halfway up a mound. And Girardi believes the righthander will return and contribute for the Bombers this season.

“I believe he’ll be back,” Girardi said. “I am no doctor, no rehab therapist, but just knowing Joba I believe he’s going to be back for us this year.”

Chamberlain was working his way back from Tommy John surgery when he suffered a freak right ankle injury in March. It was called an “open dislocation” where the bone was exposed and there was considerable bleeding, although he claimed both of those aspects were untrue.

The righthander is using a small brace on the ankle and isn’t yet throwing 100%. Girardi said Chamberlain’s mobility isn’t to the point where he can run a sprint, but still can do mound work. He will have difficult tests to pass if he is to make good on his spring training vow to play this year.

“I think his arm is going to be fine,” Girardi said. “I think it’s going to be can he tolerate the pounding you go through as a pitcher — having to cover the base, when you land (and) when you push off? Those are the hurdles he’s going to have to clear.”

Why does Girardi believe Chamberlain will make it back? “Most people I wouldn’t have, but (with) Joba I did,” he said. “When it comes to pain thresholds and a lot of things I’ve seen this kid get through, not many people have done it.”

We'll see what happens, but to me this is just blind optimism from the manager.

Olney: Joba Injury Reports Were Grossly Exaggerated

From Buster Olney:

Joba Chamberlain is likely to speak to reporters later in the week, and he's expected to tell them his life was never in jeopardy after his accident last Thursday.

Obviously that's very good news, but here's to another terrible job by certain members of the media for reporting this false rumors as fact. Well done.

More Details on Joba's Horrible and Almost Life-Threatening Injury

From the NY Daily News:

Joba Chamberlain lost so much blood Thursday when he hurt his ankle while playing with his son that there initially was concern for his life, a Yankees' source said.

At the very least, the gruesome open dislocation of Chamberlain's right ankle could be career-threatening and probably will preclude Chamberlain from pitching for the Yankees this season.

....

"Keep him in our prayers, because obviously he's facing a lot right now," said Cashman, who appeared shaken while delivering the news. Chamberlain was trying to come back from Tommy John surgery on his elbow and was throwing the ball well enough to believe he'd be back in the Yankee bullpen in a few months.

Cashman said Chamberlain was at a children's recreation center when the accident occurred and, though the GM said he didn't yet know the full story on how Chamberlain was hurt, he added, "I believe it was a trampoline, whether it was a trampoline specifically — any of you who have kids, there's places out there you can go with your children and it's a lot of gymnastic stuff. That's what it sounds like. That's a loose description."

...

Dr. Steven Weinfeld, the Chief of the Foot and Ankle Service and Associate Professor or Orthopedic Surgery at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, said an open dislocation could be a "career-threatening injury."

"The dislocation means the ankle bone is forced out of its socket by some sort of injury and 'open' means the skin is ripped open, like with what Joe Theismann had with his injury," said Weinfeld, who has not treated Chamberlain but is an expert on such injuries. "This makes it a much more serious injury because the skin envelope has been violated. When the skin is intact, it's much easier to heal."

"This makes it not only a career-threatening injury, but a limb-threatening injury. There is a small percentage of people who end up with an amputation. There are a small percentage of people, if the skin envelope doesn't heal, they are susceptible to infection and that can lead to amputation. These days, that's less likely to happen because we have good antibiotics."

Weinfeld added, "I would be very surprised if he played this year. He won't be able to weight-bear for two or three months, let alone start baseball activities."

Cashman did sound somewhat optimistic about an eventual return to the mound for Joba, but he was probably just trying to stay positive in the eyes of what is clearly a very bad situation for Joba and his career in baseball.

If you're wondering, Buster Olney reported earlier today that the Yankees are not upset with Joba for playing with his son on the way he did. I don't necessarily believe that, but that's a discussion for another day.

Curt Schilling, who knows a thing or two about ankle injuries, was on ESPN today and said that if he does ever return to the mound that he is likely facing at least two years of serious rehabilitation.

Joba Dislocates Ankle While Playing With Son

From the AP:

The New York Yankees say reliever Joba Chamberlain has had surgery after dislocating his right ankle while with his son at a play area. There is no timetable for his return.

General manager Brian Cashman said Friday that Chamberlain had surgery Thursday night and will be hospitalized for at least a few days.

Cashman says the accident happened Thursday afternoon while Chamberlain and his son were at a Tampa-area spot that has trampoline equipment. The team is not saying whether Chamberlain was using any of the equipment.

If you have a weak stomach you may want to avoid reading the next part.

Bone broke through the skin during the dislocation. Chamberlain is scheduled for an MRI exam and CT scan Friday. He is already returning from elbow ligament replacement surgery.

Wow, what a terrible break for Joba and the Yanks.

Joba Throws First BP Session, Says He's Cured

From Wallace Matthews:

Cue the James Brown-style funk guitars. Joba Chamberlain threw his first session off a mound this morning and proclaimed himself not only cured, but reborn.

"They fixed what was there, and then Dr. (James) Andrews went ahead and added some extra strength to it," Joba said after throwing 16 pitches off the mound following a couple of weeks of throwing off that oddity known as the half-mound. "It's a new arm, for me, that's how I feel. It's a new year, and it's a whole new chapter of what I would like to accomplish here and help this team."

Is this the song you were referring to, Wally?


Anyway, as for his return to the Yankees pen, Joba expects to be back well before the projected date:

"I can tell you it's not going to be three to four months," he said. "Three or four months puts us out a long time. "It's weird because (the ball) comes out of my hand different. Sometimes I blow up Roman (Rodriguez, the bullpen catcher), and he gets kind of mad at me. But I just can't help it. It just happens. I think that's a good sign. It's just coming out a lot more free and easier. I trust myself enough, I trust my arm and my elbow. It's been great for me."

However, according to Matthews, the Yankees are already concerned about Joba's eagerness to return and don't want him to rush his comeback. Usually these things take a year to recover, and Joba had his surgery just last June. Either way, this is very good news for the Yanks, who will have a very deep bullpen, even without Joba.

Yanks Avoid Arbitration With Joba and Robertson

From Andy Martino:

The Yankees on Tuesday avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to one-year contracts with a pair or relievers whose careers veered in markedly different directions last year, David Robertson and Joba Chamberlain.

...

CBS Sports first reported that both contracts were worth approximately $1.6 million.

The Yankees had already avoided arbitration with righthander Phil Hughes, agreeing on Monday to a one-year, $3.2 million deal. The team’s other arbitration-eligible players, catcher Russell Martin, outfielder Brett Gardner and lefthander Boone Logan, await resolution.