Joba Chamberlain News: Pro Sports Daily

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March 11

Bergen Record

"At this stage of camp, Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes haven't been harshly judged by the faulty execution of certain pitches. The Yankees want Chamberlain to work on pounding fastballs inside, and he paid for it Wednesday as Detroit's Gerald Laird crushed a grand slam to cap a six-run third inning. Later in the game, Hughes fell behind in the count by throwing two consecutive change-ups - a pitch he's determined to develop. If this were the regular season, Hughes might have followed with a cutter instead of the fastball that Ryan Raburn rocked over the left-field fence at Joker Marchant Stadium. But there's always a tinge of regret for any delivery that fails to meet its mark."

Just say you stink, already

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March 11

New York Post

columnist Kevin Kernan

"The Yankees are throwing around excuses like Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes are throwing around gopher balls. You can make spring training work for you in any fashion you want, and right now the Yankees are in that Kum Ba Ya stage. That's fine, I get it, they don't want to rush to judgment in the Race for 5. I don't want to either. But it's time to start judging what's really going on here and not live in a pitching fantasy world. After an unimpressive first outing, Chamberlain collapsed in the third inning yesterday in a 9-8 win over the Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium. He surrendered six runs, the monster blow being a grand slam to Gerald Laird. Over 3 2/3 innings this spring, ..."

Chamberlain falls further behind in race for No. 5

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March 11

New York Post

"Joba Chamberlain says he knows the deal when it comes to the fifth starter's spot in Joe Girardi's rotation. Now he has to start pitching like it. "I understand what's at stake," Chamberlain said after getting spanked by the Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium yesterday in a 9-8 Yankees victory. "You got to get better. You can't worry about what [the competition] is doing. There is a sense of urgency but not a panic button." Chamberlain is correct: Two outings into spring training isn't time to panic. Chamberlain's body of work — since walking off a Texas mound with a shoulder problem on Aug. 4, 2008, that forced him to miss a month — has been pedestrian. In 42 games (31 starts), Chamberlain ..."

Chamberlain can count himself out of New York Yankees rotation if decline continues

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March 11

New York Daily News

"If you believe Joe Girardi, the race for the Yankees' fifth starter is just beginning. But if Joba Chamberlain keeps pitching the way he has in his first two outings, it could be over sooner rather than later. Chamberlain was roughed up for six runs in 2 1/3 innings, giving up all six in a messy third of the Yankees' 9-8 win over the Tigers. Chamberlain opened the game with two scoreless frames, but said he felt fatigued in the third, eventually giving up a grand slam to Gerald Laird to cap his second tough outing. Chamberlain was tagged for five runs in 1-1/3 innings on Friday against the Rays. "I gave up six runs, but there's a lot of things I did good and a lot of things I did wrong," ..."

Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes begin their battle

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March 6

Bergen Record

"If this were the final day of competition instead of the first, Chad Gaudin might be the Yankees' No. 5 starter. "I don't think I threw a fastball that was well located the whole day, which was frustrating," Phil Hughes said, after a spotty two-inning start Friday. It was an afternoon when Joba Chamberlain had a better feel for his fastball than Hughes, but delivered worse results. Chamberlain (3 hits, 3 walks, 1 strikeout) was charged with five runs in 1 1/3 innings, after Hughes (1 hit, 1 walk) had given up a run in two innings - a solo homer by Sean Rodriguez. Naturally, manager Joe Girardi couldn't assign much deep meaning to the initial 33 pitches each thrown by Hughes and Chamberlain ..."

Chamberlain learning to deal with the Joba

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March 6

New York Post

columnist Kevin Kernan

"When you live in a world of great expec tations, everything mat ters, even your first spring training perform ance a few days after losing a bout to the stomach flu. That is Joba Chamber lain's world, and he still is learning to live in it. The Great Fifth Starter Race began with a thud yes terday. Chamberlain was dreadful. He got four outs, al lowed three extra- base hits and five runs. He threw 33 pitches, just 14 were strikes. Three of those strikes were hammered for two triples and a double. Phil Hughes didn't look great either in the 12-7 loss to the Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field, but it never is about the other guy, it always is about Chamberlain. He had little command. He ..."

Front-runners stumble out of gate

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March 6

New York Post

"Joba Chamberlain was weak because of a stomach virus. Phil Hughes seemed to borrow his fastball command from Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams' manual, which overshadowed Hughes' effective change-up. So, the favorites in the fight for the fifth spot in the Yankees rotation were as dull as the 12-7 loss to the Rays was long (for the record, it was three hours, 40 minutes). Hughes, who started, went two innings, gave up a hit, a run and a walk. Chamberlain, who was sent home Tuesday with stomach discomfort and lost eight pounds in two days, followed Hughes and the numbers were awful. In 1 1/3 innings Chamberlain was spanked for five runs, three hits and gave up three walks. Each threw 33 pitches. ..."

Shaky Starts for Yankees' Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain

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March 6

New York Times

"Joba Chamberlain battled a stomach illness for three days, and his pitching statistics were sickly Friday in his first exhibition appearance this spring. His results may or may not have significance in the competition for the fifth spot in the Yankees' starting rotation. Chamberlain worked one and a third innings, giving up five earned runs on three hits (all for extra bases) and three walks in a 12-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. Of his 33 pitches, only 14 were strikes. Chamberlain's main competition for the fifth spot could be Phil Hughes, who pitched the first two innings and gave up a run on one hit, a home run by Sean Rodriguez."

Joba Chamberlain gets roughed up in first spring outing in battle for New York Yankees fifth starter

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March 6

New York Daily News

"There will be no debate if Joba Chamberlain's pitching line continues to resemble the one he posted in his initial appearance of spring training. He will be in the bullpen. No pitcher is ever concerned with results the first time through the spring rotation, but the Yankees' fifth starter competition didn't exactly get off to a roaring start for Chamberlain, who followed Phil Hughes and got scorched for five runs in 1-1/3 innings in a 12-7 loss to Tampa Bay Friday at Steinbrenner Field. "I'm not going to make too much of it," Joe Girardi said of Chamberlain, who claimed to have lost eight pounds from the flu-like symptoms he experienced earlier in the week. "You wonder how much he had his ..."

Joba Chamberlain needs to be aggressive if he wants to be New York Yankees starter

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March 6

New York Daily News

columnist John Harper

"The Yankees have put Joba Chamberlain on notice this spring training, telling him he has to bring his aggressive bullpen mentality to the mound as a starter if he wants to win his battle with Phil Hughes. And yet in his first outing he couldn't have looked more lethargic. Was it merely the after-effects of the flu? You have to give him the benefit of the doubt, considering that he said he had lost eight pounds since Tuesday and spent a couple of days in bed because he was sick. But if Chamberlain felt well enough to pitch, you have to ask the same old question about fastball velocity, and why it never seems to be close to what he throws coming out of the pen. Friday he was mostly around 90 ..."

Joba, Phil set for 1st chance to impress

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March 5

New York Post

"Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain will face the Rays today. It will be the first action for the right-handers who are competing for the fifth spot in the rotation. While Girardi won't award the spot to the hurler who pitches better today, he understands they will be trying to impress. "No one is going to be the fifth starter the first time through the rotation," Girardi said. "They will be competing, no doubt. We will watch them closely. All the guys need to develop arm strength." Chamberlain has lost 7½ pounds because of a flu bug and was sent home from camp Tuesday."

Barring flu, Joba Chamberlain to follow Phil Hughes in battle for No. 5 spot

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March 5

New York Daily News

"Joe Girardi said Thursday that "unless something comes back," Joba Chamberlain, who battled flu-like symptoms earlier in the week, is scheduled to follow Phil Hughes Friday against Tampa Bay, thereby ratcheting up the battle for the No. 5 starter job. "No one's going to be our fifth starter by their first turn through the rotation. But they're going to be competitive, there's no doubt," Girardi said. Nick Johnson is hurt again, before even playing in his second spring-training game in his return to the Yankees. The oft-injured Johnson, whom the Yanks brought back to be their primary DH this season, was a late scratch from yesterday's 3-2 loss to the Phillies because of a stiff lower back ..."

Joba out with flu

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March 3

New York Post

"If Joba Chamberlain's flu-like symptoms that forced him to go home yesterday don't improve enough to allow him to throw a bullpen session today, he could be in danger of falling into an early hole in the battle with Phil Hughes for the fifth starter's spot. Hughes and Chamberlain are slated to pitch against the Rays on Friday at George M. Steinbrenner Field. "We sent him home because we prefer that the other 65 guys don't get sick," manager Joe Girardi said. "They said, he didn't look good.""

Joba-Hughes battle a 'luxury' for team, A-Rod says

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March 1

New York Post

"According to Alex Rodriguez the Yankees can't lose between Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes in the fight for the fifth starter's spot. "They're both great young pitchers," Rodriguez said after facing Hughes in batting practice yesterday. "It's a great luxury for us to have. You can throw balls up in the air and whoever comes down, the Yankees are the winner. A good problem to have." Hughes and Chamberlain threw batting practice for the second time and Rodriguez tagged Hughes twice. "He has a good arm, easy cheese," Rodriguez said of Hughes, off whom he drove deep balls to left and right. Hughes and Chamberlain are slated to pitch against the Rays Friday. "My delivery and fastball command ..."

Hughes-Joba battle under intense Rays Friday

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February 28

New York Post

"Those of you scoring the bout between Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes for the undisputed No. 5 spot in the Yankees' rotation, get your scorecards ready Friday. That's when Hughes and Chamberlain -- in that order -- will work approximately two innings against the Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Five days later at Lakeland against the Tigers, the order reverses. Because manager Joe Girardi is using Chad Gaudin, Sergio Mitre and Alfredo Aceves -- who are also in the mix for the final rotation slot -- in the exhibition opener Wednesday against the Pirates, CC Sabathia Thursday, A.J. Burnett Saturday, Gaudin, Mitre and Aceves Sunday, Andy Pettitte in a simulated game Sunday and Javier ..."

Joba, Hughes making every second count

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February 27

The Journal News

"When he finished throwing live batting practice on Friday, Yankees right-hander Phil Hughes stood outside of the batting cage to watch Joba Chamberlain pitch. Hughes was waiting so that he and Chamberlain could do their running together, but it certainly looked like he was sizing up the competition. "I'll roll with that if you want me to," Hughes jokingly said. Truth is, both Hughes and Chamberlain have seemed perfectly at ease about their competition for the fifth spot in the rotation. Chad Gaudin, Sergio Mitre and Alfredo Aceves are also in the competition, but it's Chamberlain and Hughes who get all of the attention. The two faced hitters for the first time this spring, and the ..."

Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes vie for spot on Yanks

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February 27

Bergen Record

"Not content to merely watch Joba Chamberlain's pitches from the batter's box, Jorge Posada swung and made contact with three of the first five deliveries. On the sixth pitch, Chamberlain snapped off a slider that broke sharply and grazed Posada's right foot. Partly off balance, partly in jest, Posada jogged toward Chamberlain before veering away. Later, Chamberlain said he had to come inside. After all, Posada was swinging at too many pitches for the first live batting practice session. In reality, Posada liked that demeanor. And he also liked what he saw from Phil Hughes on Friday afternoon. "They've got to show it early," Posada said of the young pitchers' will to win the Yankees' No. 5 ..."

Joe: Joba-Phil competition not yet in full swing

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February 27

New York Post

"Joe Girardi said the competition for the Yankees' fifth rotation spot hasn't begun because pitchers are throwing to hitters who aren't swinging bats. Instead, the manager said, the judging will begin when the exhibition season opens next week. Nevertheless, Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain, the favorites to land the last spot in a rotation that figures to be the best in baseball, are ignoring their manager. "What I do today dictates what I do tomorrow," Chamberlain said after throwing batting practice to Nick Swisher, Jorge Posada (who danced away from a slider in the dirt), Jamie Hoffman and Brett Gardner. "I knew it was going to be a battle and all the guys would work hard. We are ..."

Joba-Hughes battle the talk of Tampa

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February 22

New York Post

"Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain added curveballs to their bullpen workouts yesterday at George M. Steinbrenner Field, where the leading candidates for the No. 5 starters' spot were watched closely by coaches, reporters and fans. Because it was the duo's second bullpen session since camp opened, the fastball/change-up restriction was lifted. "Usually, your first few (curveballs) you have trouble getting it to the plate," Hughes said. "Today there was some bite, the same as last year." Hughes says the curveball is the last pitch to be sharpened. Chamberlain says it's his slider. Because they are competing for the final starting spot, with the loser going to the pen, every move Hughes and ..."

Not just Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes vying for Yankees' No. 5 starting pitching spot

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February 22

New York Daily News

"There are no T-shirts with catchy slogans around Steinbrenner Field trumpeting Alfredo Aceves, Sergio Mitre or Chad Gaudin, no Alfredo Policy, Sergio System or Chad Chart to define how much Mitre or Gaudin can be used. Most of the chatter about the battle to be the Yankees' fifth starter centers on Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes. But if you believe the Yankees' brass, Aceves, Gaudin and Mitre are competing for the job, too, regardless of the heavier attention paid to the two highly touted righthanders. "They're kind of under the radar," Joe Girardi said of the unheralded trio. "They don't have to talk about it; they can just go out and do the best that they can. The Yankees have shown ..."

All eyes on Joba, Hughes as Yankees pitchers and catchers report

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February 17

New York Post

"Today, it officially begins. The quest for the Yankees' 28th World Series opens when pitchers and catchers are poked and probed as physicals will be given at George M. Steinbrenner Field. It's the first step on the Yankees' road to repeating as World Champions. Joe Girardi, who will change his uniform number from 27 to 28 as a constant reminder to his team about its ultimate goal, will meet with the media and then the few questions the Yankees have this spring will start to be answered. The next step will come tomorrow, when pitchers start throwing to catchers under palm trees and the romantic sound of ball popping mitt moves everybody one step closer to Opening Day and away from a frigid ..."

Yankees nix the 'Joba Rules', but no word yet as to where ace Joba Chamberlain fits in rotation

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February 10

New York Daily News

"The training wheels are officially off Joba Chamberlain, the "Joba Rules" just a slogan rather than a strict plan to limit the Yankee pitcher's innings. But the absence of those guidelines does not mean that Chamberlain is a cinch to be the Yanks' fifth starter this season. The Yankees will round out their rotation after a spring competition, according to their pitching coach, Dave Eiland. "For me to say who's the clear favorite - right now I can't do that," Eiland said Tuesday. "Time will tell. We have interesting guys, and this is going to be fun to watch. Competition brings out the best in guys, and we'll see who pulls ahead of the pack." Chamberlain and Phil Hughes are the headliners ..."

Joba Chamberlain set to start

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February 3

Bergen Record

"Two weeks away from the official report date for Yankees pitchers and catchers, Joba Chamberlain is heading into spring training with his heart set on the No. 5 starter's job. "I'm going in with the mind-set that it's mine," Chamberlain said Tuesday at the Thurman Munson Dinner in midtown. Unshackled from the constraints of the Joba Rules, Chamberlain sees 30-plus starts and 200 innings in his 2010 season - though he also believes that nothing's going to be handed to him. "I know there are going to be guys fighting for it also, which makes it even better for me because I love it. I love the competition," said Chamberlain, who faces a primary challenge from Phil Hughes. Alfredo Aceves, ..."

Joba wouldn't pitch fit over shift to Yankees' relief

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February 3

New York Post

"Joba the starter is open to becoming Joba the reliever, especially if the Yankees want to groom him as Mariano Rivera's heir apparent. Speaking to reporters last night before the annual Thurman Munson awards dinner in Manhattan, Joba Chamberlain reiterated comments he made to The Post on Saturday, when he said he considers himself a starter -- but said he also realizes the Yankees have final say in the matter. "Being down [in the bullpen] for two stints, you get to see how good [Rivera] is, and you know there is going to have to be somebody who comes behind him that replaces the legacy that is Mariano," Chamberlain said. "If that opportunity comes, great. If we sit down and they say that, ..."

Chamberlain ready to fight for rotation spot

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January 31

New York Post

"Joba Chamberlain's eyes are set squarely on the fifth spot in the Yankees' rotation. The right-handed pitcher told The Post last night that he will arrive in Tampa next week -- well before pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report for spring training -- with the idea he's a starting pitcher for 2010. Team brass has told him to have that mindset. But Chamberlain also said he isn't taking anything for granted knowing that Phil Hughes and Alfredo Aceves, among others, are chasing the same carrot. "I'm going to go in and understand a lot of guys are fighting for that spot," Chamberlain said after an autograph signing in New Rochelle in conjunction with Steiner Sports. "Nothing is ..."

Joba wants to start in 2010

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November 18

Bergen Record

"Unless he's told otherwise, Joba Chamberlain anticipates being in the Yankees' starting rotation in 2010. Sure, he knows there's never any guarantees. At least as a member of the World Series champions, Chamberlain has a shorter off-season – meaning less time to consider the winter what-ifs. He's already been receiving text messages and calls about the Hot Stove League. "[It's] not so much the rumors part of things [I pay attention to], just kind of the way things are going to shape up, what's going to happen and just the overall feel of [it]," Chamberlain said Tuesday afternoon. "It's just going to be one of those things where you pay attention and go about your business and get prepared ..."

Joba fine with starting or relieving

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November 18

New York Post

"While the Yankees have hinted that Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes will be back in the starting rotation next year, nothing is certain. And Chamberlain remains fine with that. "It's a great problem to have for Phil and myself," Chamberlain said yesterday. "We've been in situations and there's a lot of things we can be. I think it's an advantage for our team that there are so many different options to make us better for 2010." The question, however, is whether the past year made Chamberlain better, since it seems the Yankees did their best to confuse the right-hander -- from making him a starter to instituting minuscule pitch counts to finally having him come out of the bullpen again in ..."

Cashman says Chamberlain, Hughes likely starters for Yankees in 2010

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November 11

New York Daily News

"Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain finished the season as relievers, but Brian Cashman believes the two youngsters will enter spring training as starting pitchers. "I look at them as starters that can relieve," Cashman said. "We haven't had our meetings, but I would anticipate going to spring training with as much starting depth as possible." Chamberlain made 31 starts and one relief appearance this season, going 9-6 with a 4.75 ERA while dealing with the infamous "Joba Rules" during the final two months of the season. Chamberlain finished the regular season with 157-1/3 innings, then threw another 6-1/3 in 10 postseason appearances out of the bullpen. The Yankees would likely allow ..."

Yankee pitcher Joba Chamberlain's mom Jackie Standley faces 20 years in jail for selling drugs

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November 3

New York Daily News

"New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain's mother faces up to two decades behind bars for selling drugs in Nebraska. Jackie Standley pleaded no contest Monday to a felony charge of delivery of a controlled substance, the Lincoln Journal Star reported. Standley, 44, will be sentenced Dec. 16, following a treatment recommendation from CenterPointe, a dual-diagnosis alcohol and drug treatment center. Cops in Lincoln collared Standley earlier this year for selling a gram of methamphetamine, worth $110, to an undercover investigator at her apartment. The pitcher's estranged mom also got herself in hot water in July, when she allegedly left a threatening voicemail on a former friend's cell ..."

This Joba nearly a disaster

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November 2

New York Post

"Plenty of his teammates told Joba Chamberlain not to worry after the reliever blew the Yankees' lead in the bottom of the eighth inning of Game 4 of the World Series last night. "Everybody, I think the whole lineup was like, 'We'll pick you up. We'll pick you up,' " Jorge Posada said. And they did pick him up. Chamberlain needed the help because he nearly flushed what would have been a critical win over the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Thanks to Phil Hughes' postseason struggles, Chamberlain inherited the eighth-inning set-up role by default in the eventual 7-4 Yankees victory. But Chamberlain failed at the job as well. Entering to start the eighth inning with the Yankees holding a 4-3 ..."

Joba Chamberlain outing huge relief for New York Yankees

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October 26

New York Daily News

"With his team eight outs away from the World Series and the tying run coming to the plate, Joba Chamberlain jogged in from the bullpen to try for the biggest two outs of his young career. The reliever-turned-starter-turned-reliever took the mound with a two-run lead, a man on first and red-hot catcher Jeff Mathis due up, but Angels manager Mike Scioscia decided to send Maicer Izturis up as a pinch-hitter, hoping he could take a good swing against Chamberlain like he did in Game 3 on a sacrifice fly. Izturis hit a ball to Derek Jeter that the shortstop couldn't handle. Fortunately for the Yankees, it glanced off Jeter in the direction of Robinson Cano, who stepped on second base for the ..."

Chamberlain remains confident in postseason as Yankees bullpen leaks

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October 25

New York Daily News

"Joba ChamberlainÂ is just fine. The hard-throwing Yankees righthander has not been the lights-out pitcher he was expected to be when he switched back to the bullpen for the playoffs, but while his fastball has been hit, his confidence certainly has not. "I don't think it's changed," Chamberlain said Friday before the team's workout at Yankee Stadium. One of only three relievers available at the optional workout, Chamberlain spoke up for the entire bullpen. "We have a good situation. We know what we're getting ourselves into. We know how to pitch. We know we have some great stuff. It hasn't changed one bit at all." Chamberlain, whose future and fastball has been hotly debated by Yankees ..."

If Phil Hughes struggles, Joba Chamberlain may pitch 8th inning for New York Yankees

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October 16

New York Daily News

"After fixing a mechanical flaw that left his pitches flat, off-target and easy to hit in the American League division series, Phil Hughes remains the Yankees' set-up man, though Joe Girardi left the door open to entertain other possibilities. Assuming Joba Chamberlain remains in the bullpen throughout the AL Championship Series that begins tonight, the Bombers' current seventh-inning pitcher could find himself being called on instead of Hughes to get outs in the eighth. Girardi said as much in his press conference following the Bombers' workout at the Stadium yesterday afternoon. Asked if Hughes would still be called on to pitch the eighth inning following his struggles against the Twins, ..."

Weather or not, Yankees pitchers Joba Chamberlain, Chad Gaudin ready for ALCS action against Angels

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October 15

New York Daily News

"Joba Chamberlain will not be staying up late and watching the Weather Channel or studying Doppler Radar printouts to try to figure out his role in the American League Championship Series this weekend. The Yankees' righthander said he isn't worrying about whether he will be starting or coming out of the bullpen. "As of today, that's what I am doing," Chamberlain said of relieving. "You can't look ahead and try and figure out what might happen. If they say this is what you're going to do, this is what you're going to do." The way that the ALCS is scheduled, with three days off during the potential seven-game series, Joe Girardi wants to stick with the three-man rotation of CC Sabathia, A.J. ..."

Joba Chamberlain likely to stay in bullpen for New York Yankees

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October 13

New York Daily News

"Joba Chamberlain sure looked comfortable in the bullpen in the division series against the Twins, and while he thrived and Phil Hughes struggled, don't expect a new Joba Debate to brew over a potential switch in roles for the AL Championship Series if Chamberlain stays a reliever. GM Brian Cashman said Monday that Hughes is likely to remain the Yankees' eighth-inning setup man, based on his terrific season in the bullpen. "Oh, yeah," Cashman said. "He's been very good." The Yankees will meet Tuesday to discuss their ALCS rotation and roster, which must be turned in before Friday at 10 a.m. They will consider weather forecasts while plotting their pitching, Cashman said, because rain is ..."

Joba may get role as Phil-in

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October 12

New York Post

"Joba Chamberlain outpitched Phil Hughes in the three-game ALDS. So, will Yankee manager Joe Girardi think of using Chamberlain in the eighth inning and Hughes before him? "Right now I have no thoughts on that," Girardi said while champagne was being sprayed around him. "We have to make our evaluations." In three games, Chamberlain worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings, allowed two hits and fanned one. Hughes worked two frames in three games, gave up two runs (9.00 ERA), five hits and a walk."

Rapid pitching changes can become throwaway moves for Yankees' Joba Chamberlain

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October 11

New York Daily News

"There is no doubt that Joe Girardi is eternally grateful for the deep, quality bullpen Brian Cashman has provided him - a bullpen superior in its depth and efficiency to even Joe Torre's circa 1998 quartet of Mariano Rivera, Jeff Nelson, Mike Stanton and Ramiro Mendoza. So grateful, it seems, that Girardi just can't get enough of his relief corps. Over the first two games of this ALDS against these poor-boy Minnesota Twins of the north country, the Yankee skipper has managed his bullpen like a kid at his first Christmas, tearing open package after package, barely stopping to inspect the contents inside until, before you know it, there's nothing left but a lot of empty boxes, wrapping paper ..."

Joba Chamberlain is already on a role for ALDS

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October 10

New York Daily News

"Joba Chamberlain entered Friday night having thrown nine pitches over two games since returning to the bullpen, but Joe Girardi had seen enough from the 24-year-old to thrust him into the late-inning mix in the postseason. Chamberlain needed only seven pitches to throw a perfect inning Sunday in Tampa, then retired the only batter he faced in the eighth inning of Game 1 Wednesday on two pitches. Girardi called on Chamberlain again Friday night, inserting him to start the seventh inning of a tie game. Chamberlain retired the first two batters on ground balls and then gave up a single to Joe Mauer before Girardi lifted him for Phil Coke. Phil Hughes remains the Yankees' primary setup man, ..."

Chamberlain likely to supply ALCS relief

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October 9

New York Post

columnist Joel Sherman

"Should the Yankees advance to the ALCS, they are leaning heavily toward using Chad Gaudin rather than Joba Chamberlain as the Game 4 starter, The Post has learned. The Yankees would not finalize plans unless they beat Minnesota. But in informal planning sessions, there is a growing consensus to keep Chamberlain in the bullpen throughout the playoffs. That reflects how precious each win is in the postseason, and that Chamberlain could be used in nearly every winnable game as part of a late-game lockdown trio with Phil Hughes and Mariano Rivera. But it also has to do with the Yankees' internal belief that Gaudin outperformed Chamberlain as a starter down the stretch. The Yankees were 6-0 ..."

Joba, Phil dominant out of 'pen

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October 8

New York Post

"On the last day of the season, Joba Chamberlain went back to the bullpen. Three outs, no problem. Last night, he was in the 'pen again for ALDS Game 1. One out, no problem. Chamberlain, whose role has been debated back and forth for two-plus years, closed out the eighth inning of the Yankees' 7-2 victory over the Twins. He entered with one on and two outs in the inning and retired Delmon Young on a harmless force play. If you're keeping track, Chamberlain's faced four batters in relief this season — four up, four down. Chamberlain has been a dominant reliever in his career, and for this round at least, his return makes the Yankees' bullpen almost frightening. Last night, he was part of a ..."

Phil Hughes thinks Joba Chamberlain's return to bullpen fortifies Yankees

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October 7

New York Daily News

"Phil Hughes was little more than a bit player when the Yankees flamed out in the first round to underdog Cleveland in the 2007 AL division series. Now, as the heavily favored Yankees return to the playoffs Wednesday night after a one-year hiatus, Hughes will enter this year's first-round series with a much higher-profile position - the all-important eighth-inning bridge to Mariano Rivera. It's a role Hughes flourished in during the season, and something he hopes will continue beginning tonight in Game 1. "It's nice to be able to contribute this year," said Hughes, who finished the regular season with an 8-3 record, a 3.03ERA and 96 strikeouts and 28 walks in 86 innings. "(The playoffs) are ..."

Joba Chamberlain dominant in return to Yankees' bullpen

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October 5

New York Daily News

"Welcome back, Joba. After a season filled with inconsistency and frustration as a member of the rotation, Joba Chamberlain pitched a perfect seventh inning against the Rays Sunday, looking like the phenom that made eyes - and catcher's mitts - pop in 2007. Chamberlain needed only seven pitches to breeze through the inning, hitting 96 mph with his first pitch, striking out Fernando Perez with a 95 mph heater and hitting 97 with another pitch. "The adrenaline is different," Chamberlain said. "Just forget about everything and let it fly." Chamberlain likely will spend the first round of the playoffs in the bullpen, but the Yankees haven't decided whether he or Chad Gaudin would be the ..."

Relief Joba is likely for ALDS

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October 5

New York Post

"Were nine quality pitches that pushed speed guns into the mid-90s enough to secure Joba Chamberlain an ALDS roster spot? Likely. Knowing he needed to impress out of the bullpen for the first time this year yesterday against the Rays, Chamberlain unleashed the type of heat and filthy slider that made him a feared reliever two years ago before being converted to a starter. "I thought he threw well," manager Joe Girardi said of Chamberlain, whose first pitch was a 96-mph fastball and his final one clocked at 95. In between he fired a filthy 88-mph slider. "We have decisions to make and we got some time." According to Girardi, the Yankees have until midnight before Game 1 to send their ..."

Chamberlain to audition for ALDS 'pen

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October 4

New York Post

"No one is calling it a playoff audition. However, there is no alternate way to view Joba Chamberlain being used in relief today. Chamberlain's inconsistency late in the season knocked him out of Joe Girardi's ALDS rotation. Now, he is getting a chance to be part of the 10-man staff as a reliever, the role he introduced himself to the big leagues so well in 2007. "Every day here you have to prove yourself," said Chamberlain, whose last relief outing was Sept. 28, 2008 in the first game of a doubleheader against the Red Sox at Fenway Park when Mike Mussina notched his 20th victory and then retired. "I am excited to get the ball and go from there." Earlier this week GM Brian Cashman said ..."

Joe Girardi gets tough and Joba Chamberlain gets going

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September 26

New York Daily News

"The timing was right. The shackles were off Joba Chamberlain, finally, and the playoffs are dead ahead. Joe Girardi seized the moment to call Joba into his office and tell him it was time to grow up, time to start pitching like a man. Or else. Actually, the "or else" part apparently was left unsaid, but Chamberlain seemed to get the message. If he wants to make a start in the playoffs, he needed to go out last night and give the Yankees reason to believe they can trust him in the postseason. By delivering six innings of his most dominant pitching in months against the Red Sox, Chamberlain essentially said to count him in. And from the looks of his dazzling outing, he might just be an ..."

Boomer: Joba gettin' short straw

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September 25

New York Post

"David Wells pitched 21 years in the big leagues. And while he often saw things with eyes that produced different visions, when it came to pitching Wells possessed above-average intelligence. A rubber arm and the ability to throw breaking balls for strikes helped win 239 games, but don't underestimate his head. And what the former Yankee lefty and current TBS broadcaster sees going on with Joba Chamberlain is something he doesn't agree with. "I don't think they are doing the right thing with Joba," Wells told The Post. "Pulling him out in the fourth inning, that has to be tough for the kid and he could lose confidence.""

Yankees innings limit has spoiled Joba Chamberlain

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September 25

New York Daily News

"Joba Chamberlain has not pitched well lately, and the Yankees' new recipe for limiting his workload might be to blame, some in baseball say. But while the Yanks may have created a short-term crisis that could spoil Chamberlain's chances of helping them in the playoffs, they have also met the goal of curtailing his innings and keeping him healthy, all while the team has clinched a playoff spot. "I applaud what they've done - they protected an asset," says former Mets and A's pitching coach Rick Peterson. "He's shown flashes of brilliance and inconsistency, but to come through a year healthy after a shoulder problem last year is a huge accomplishment. So is limiting his innings. Coming into ..."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi expects better from Joba Chamberlain

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September 22

New York Daily News

"Joba Chamberlain may have thought his disastrous outing on Sunday was the result of one or two bad pitches, but Joe Girardi believes it was much more than that. "One or two bad pitches doesn't usually lead to seven runs unless there are some errors or funny things that happen," Girardi said Monday. "That was not the game he's capable of pitching." Despite his endorsement of Chamberlain as the No. 4 starter in the postseason on Sunday, Girardi made it clear that nothing is set in stone. "Everyone has a chance to show us as we move forward," Girardi said. "These last two weeks are very important for some spots. We need him to pitch well. He's important to our success, so it's time for him ..."

Joba's gotta 'step it up'

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September 22

New York Post

"Conceding that what comes out of a player's mouth talking to the media is often different than what he tells the manager, Yankee skipper Joe Girardi admits Joba Chamberlain has to start pitching better. "It's time for him to step up," Girardi said prior to last night's game against the Angels. "He needs to step it up." Sunday in Seattle, Chamberlain wasn't down about getting spanked for seven runs and six hits in three innings when he was scheduled to go at least five frames in a game the Yankees dropped 7-1. He said his delivery was great, the velocity on the fastball good and his offspeed pitches solid. One or two pitches in different locations and the math wouldn't have been so ugly, ..."

Joba Chamberlain gives up one run in four innings for Yankees

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September 15

New York Daily News

"The new rules said Joba Chamberlain could work a little longer last night, and he responded with his best outing in over a month. Chamberlain, the Yankees' micromanaged righthander, held the Angels to just a run on four hits while fanning two over four strong innings in a 5-3 victory. It was the first time in his last 14 starts, dating back to June 24, that Chamberlain didn't walk a batter. Chamberlain had been pulled after three innings in each of his previous three starts as the Yankees try to hold his innings total under a limit that is believed to be 160 - he has about 17 innings left before reaching that limit. "I felt great," said Chamberlain, who threw 67 pitches, 41 for strikes. ..."