Joba out with 'stiff shoulder'

by anaconda on Aug 5, 2008 12:32 AM EDT in New York Yankees News

As you all know by now, Joba Chamberlain was removed in the 5th inning tonight after he suffered from some stiffness in his right shoulder.

He will head back to NY for further tests, so we'll find out the details tomorrow.

Contrary to the report on Yankees.com, Joba himself stated on the YES postgame that the bunt fiasco in which he ducked out of the way of an oncoming missle thrown from Pudge had nothing to do with the injury.

A couple of positive notes from the clubhouse:

Girardi doesn't believe the injury is serious but essentially admitted that Joba's not bloody likely to make his next start on Saturday against the Angels and a DL stint seems likely. So it appears that Ian Kennedy might pitch this weekend after all.

Also, Joba said that he never lost his velocity during the 5th inning - which is a very good sign - and the stiffness he felt was actually below the shoulder and more of a muscular problem.

I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that I don't care how long Joba has to be shut down as long as he comes back 100% healthy. The Yankees are going to be extra cautious with the jewel of their franchise and will not take any chances with that kid's future.

Winning in 2008 would be great. But Joba's health and long term future is far more important.

We'll find out more tomorrow and hope for the best.

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Definitely right about

Joba’s health. Honestly, I am skeptical at this point that the Yanks can make the playoffs. The only element in our favor is that the Sox are in the suck, too.

On a totally different note, did anybody else watch Gene Monahan running on to the field and think ‘this guy is a major league trainer?’ The guy looks like he downs a couple six-packs each night. I know he’s revered in the clubhouse by some guys, but his belly is, um, quite substantial for somebody in the physical training profession.

I always feel pressure. What I don't have is fear. -- El Duque

by LateInningRelief on Aug 5, 2008 8:09 AM EDT reply actions

Frank Cannon ...

Did Frank Cannon look like a top-flight private eye? I’m just sayin’.

I’m not a doctor, and I never played a fake one on tv, but I do know abit about pitching, and based on where Joba was pointing and the fact that he didn’t lose command or velocity, I tend to agree with Joe G. that it’s likely a muscular strain.

He didn’t point to the cuff, or to the back of the shoulder, or even the elbow. Of course we’ll have to see. My guess is the Angels are breathing a sigh of relief, and we’ll likely see Rasner reinstated for Joba’s start.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Aug 5, 2008 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Not Serious?

Though I check this website daily, this is my first post in a long time because other readers write in and cover every base more eloquently than I could ever hope to after several beers and a Yankee loss. However, I wasn’t, and still am not, convinced that there is anything at all wrong with Joba’s shoulder. The fact that our team has three capable (Pavano? I know) pitchers ready to join the big club while Joba is dangerously close to his innings limit raises questions of whether his shoulder injury is real, or something orchestrated by management to free up a roster spot. Thoughts?

by mrob on Aug 5, 2008 4:06 PM EDT reply actions

If they cried shoulder trouble

after a start, with no video of it, I might consider conspiracy theories. But they’d never stage an on-field display like that.
Even if we consider the theory, word of an injury is too demoralizing to the fanbase.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Aug 5, 2008 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Faked injury ...

Not likely. I’m not big into conspiracy theories—except that I don’t believe we ever landed on the moon, but faking Joba’s injury doesn’t add up for me. I agree with jscape, and believe he did suffer some type of shoulder tweak.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Aug 6, 2008 8:52 AM EDT up reply actions