Yankees baseball blog

Joba roughed up in spring debut

When you live in a world of great expec tations, everything matters, 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. Continue

Joba has flu symptons

 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."

Girardi wasn't ruling out the sickness lingering. Continue

Joba will be in the pen

This is supposed to be the year we all finally find out what Joba Chamberlain can do as a starter without wearing that electric dog collar, otherwise known as the Yankees' innings-restriction plan. So why the competition with Phil Hughes and others for the fifth starter spot?

Pitching coach Dave Eiland's answer to that question Thursday made it clear that, as much as the Yankees talked up Chamberlain's potential as a starter the last couple of years, they are no longer convinced that's where his future lies. Continue

Joba is OK with pen if it leads to closer role

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, then we'll get after it." Continue

Joba expects to start

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 guaranteed." Continue

Joba not impressive in final outing

CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte aren't in danger of losing their jobs to Joba Chamberlain this postseason. The clubhouse staff, on the other hand, could be in trouble.

Following Chamberlain's dismal performance against the lowly Royals Wednesday night, his grasp on a postseason roster spot could be in jeopardy, leaving many unanswered questions about his role when the playoffs begin next week.

"If they want me to fold towels, I'll fold towels," said Chamberlain. "I don't really care. Whatever they see fit, I want to help this team win in any role that I'm in." Continue

Joba will now open Subway series

Joba Chamberlain was looking forward to a showdown with the Red Sox. Instead, he'll get to meet the Mets.

Last night's rainout pushed the Yankees' rotation back a day, taking Chamberlain out of his scheduled start against the Red Sox at Fenway Park on Thursday night. His consolation prize will be to start the first leg of the Subway Series on Friday at Yankee Stadium.

"It's a little disappointing, because I love pitching at Fenway," Chamberlain said. "The fans, the rivalry and the fact that the two teams are playing good baseball, it would have been fun. It's a great atmosphere, but it probably won't be the last time I get to pitch there. Everybody likes pitching in big games."

Not that the Subway Series is small potatoes.

"Now I get to face the Mets, so it all works out in the end," Chamberlain said. "That will be fun." Continue

Joba has hurting thumb

Joba Chamberlain hopes to pitch Sunday on Mother's Day. Despite having to deal with the arrest last week of his mother, with whom the pitcher says he has not spoken to in a while, he still believes his turn in the Yankess rotation came up on Mother's Day for a reason. Chamberlain is scheduled to take the mound against the Orioles at Camden Yards, but his start may be in jeopardy after he broke a blood vessel in his right thumb last night. Continue

Ortiz has message for Joba

David Ortiz has sent a warning to tonight's Yankees starter, Joba Chamberlain, not to throw at the Red Sox. Ortiz particularly warned him to watch out for Kevin Youkilis. In comments to reporters Wednesday, Ortiz talked about the fact that Chamberlain has come up and in on Youkilis four times in the past two years, including consecutive pitches that sailed over his head in August 2007 and got him suspended for two games.

"None of that, man," Ortiz told reporters. "Just play the game the way it's supposed to be, and that's about it. This is a guy, as good as he is, the next step for him will be to earn respect from everybody in the league. He's not a bad guy, but when things like that happen, people get the wrong idea."

Ortiz said this series will not seem like a typical Yankees-Red Sox series - not without A-Rod. Said Ortiz: "You don't have the best player in the game in your lineup, it makes it different." Continue

Joba goes viral

The Joba Chamberlain who is on video failing a sobriety test last October is both polite and unsteady. He also is 23. Video link

And that is where you begin when watching the newly released footage of that boozy night: Are you watching a young man make a mistake, or are you watching a red flag as worrisome as the condition of Chamberlain's shoulder?

Chamberlain received nine months probation after pleading guilty April 1 to drunken driving stemming from that Oct. 18 incident and arrest in his home state of Nebraska. Continue