Joba Chamberlain May Return to New York Yankees in 2012

The injury was gruesome and devastating.  Lucky for all of us, we didn’t see it.  Joba Chamberlain suffered an open

dislocation of his right ankle back in March while jumping on a trampoline with his son.  When the injury was originally reported, outlets like USA Today said the injury could be career-threatening.  The open dislocation caused enough blood loss that there was some real concern about his life.  He had surgery to repair the wound and set his ankle back in place, but it was unclear how he would respond to treatment an rehab.

The New York Daily News’ Roger Rubin says Chamberlain is not ruling out a return this season.  He started throwing off a mound late last week, but has yet to be given direct feedback on his performance.  In fact, Rubin says the coaching staff refuses to show Chamberlain his radar gun readings.  However, it sounds like the coaches are happy with what they’re seeing.

"The only hint that he’s throwing major league hard are the looks on the faces of the coaches and catcher who have been working with him at the team’s minor league complex the past several weeks — and he likes their reaction."

Chamberlain was already working his way back from Tommy John surgery when he suffered the ankle injury.  He was on pace to be back from Tommy John surgery in less than a year, but with the ankle, it didn’t seem like Chamberlain would pitch at all in 2012.  Chamberlain feels he could make it back though.

“When I come in, hopefully they’ll (be adding) a big part to the team,” Chamberlain said. “I feel like I can help them… 100%.”

Chamberlain started by throwing off flat ground, but he has since made his mound debut.  He will need to prove that his ankle can withstand pitching from a mound and eventually pitching simulated games.  There’s a big difference between throwing a few pitches in the bullpen to throwing a simulated game.

The right-hander was drafted in the first round by the Yankees in 2006.  He has pitched with the Yankees for five seasons and has a career ERA of 3.70.  Chamberlain made a move from the bullpen to the starting rotation in 2010, but he was sent back to the pen in 2011.  Unfortunately, he only pitched in 27 games before the elbow injury.

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