Joba Chamberlain Out For Year

Added on Jun 10, 2011 by Scott in

MLB

The strange young career of Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain took another turn for the worse today. What was first thought to be a strained flexor tendon in his right elbow has been diagnosed as a torn ligament that will end his season. A dye contrast MRI revealed the bad news yesterday morning. Tommy John surgery will likely be required to repair the damage.

Chamberlain didn’t hide his disappointment after being told his 2011 campaign was over.

“This sucks,” Chamberlain said. “There’s no way to sugarcoat it. It’s something I didn’t expect with no pain. The most frustrating part is not being there for the team. [But] everything happens for a reason. I’ll come back and be even stronger.”

If a Tommy John procedure is scheduled, Chamberlain would be sidelined for a minimum of 10 to 14 months. The 25-year-old ex-phenom had settled in nicely as the Yankees primary setup man. In 28.2 innings pitched, he accumulated a 2-0 record with a 2.83 ERA and 24 strikeouts.

Chamberlain’s hard-throwing style led to “Joba Rules” in 2009 that limited the number of pitches he was allowed to throw as a starter. He’s spent the last two seasons coming out of the bullpen to prevent significant injury. Obviously, those plans backfired.

The loss of Chamberlain severely impacts an already thinning bullpen. Big ticket free agent Rafael Soriano is out for two months with an inflamed elbow. Prior to being shut down, Soriano was struggling with a 5.40 ERA in 16 appearances.

With both hurlers on the shelf, manager Joe Girardi will look to fourth-year reliever David Robertson to fill the setup role. Robertson has fanned 38 batters in 23.2 innings thus far in 2011. He should be fine the short term, but a lack of proven depth will force the Yankees to swing at least one trade before the deadline.

After being swept by the hated Red Sox, the Bronx Bombers are two games out of first place and only one game ahead of third place Tampa Bay.

Source: ESPN.com