Joba Needs Tommy John Surgery

Joba Chamberlain was frustrated yesterday as news spread he was joining the Yankees disabled list.  I’m sure his aggravation has turned to disbelief today, as the reliever has found out he will likely need season ending Tommy John surgery.

Doctors discovered a torn elbow ligament in Joba’s arm which will probably require the surgery, though nothing has been decided as of yet.  If he undergoes the procedure, the 25 year old will not only miss the remainder of this year but also a good portion of the 2012 season as well.

This has all basically come out of nowhere.

New York surprised many by placing their reliever on the DL yesterday.  The injury was just believed to be a flexor sprain in his elbow, but a precautionary MRI was run today.  That MRI came back showing the torn ligament, now making Chamberlain a likely candidate for Tommy John surgery.

New York will be minus two late inning relievers for the foreseeable future.  Joba joined Yankees setup man Rafael Soriano on the DL.

Soriano has been out since the middle of May with an inflamed elbow ligament.  He is not expected back until after the All-Star break.