"With just two weeks remaining before Opening Day, Joba Chamberlain's left oblique injury sounds as if it may be more serious than the Yankees originally thought.

The 25-year-old reliever experienced some pain in the area when he pitched on Friday, and manager Joe Girardi originally said Chamberlain would pitch again today or tomorrow -- but he has been pushed back after an MRI exam revealed what GM Brian Cashman would only call an "injured oblique."

Both Cashman and Girardi said they are not overly concerned, but the fact they sent Chamberlain for an MRI on Sunday is not a good sign. Chamberlain told both of them yesterday he is not experiencing any pain.

"Whenever anyone's dealing with an oblique, there's a level of concern," Girardi said. "That's the bottom line. He's been asymptomatic, but he hasn't thrown.""