Yanks May Send Joba to the AFL

Accodring to Joel Sherman, the Yankees are strongly considering sending Joba Chamberlain to either the Arizona Fall League, or the Instructional League in order to get his innings up. I've thought this was the easy way to deal with Joba's lack of innings this year, and I'm glad the Yankees may do it.

They've already decided to send Hughes to the Arizona Fall league and the article also says that the Yankees would like to send Ian Kennedy as well.

The organization has begun a series of meetings to make a determination on whether it would be beneficial or risky to have Chamberlain throw additional innings. Should the Yanks decide to go ahead and have Chamberlain pitch more in 2008, they are weighing Arizona Fall League vs. Instructional League and starting vs. relief.

The Yanks would very much like all three of their young pitchers to get additional work to refine their repertoires and also to build innings so that they could be in position next year to take on expanded roles. But, especially in the case of Chamberlain, the Yanks are worried about putting too much on a pitcher who this year began spring as a starter, switched to the pen, moved to the rotation, went on the DL with shoulder tendinitis and returned to the bullpen. That is why the meetings include not just GM Brian Cashman, minor league head Mark Newman and minor league pitching coordinator Nardi Contreras, but also consultations with trainers and doctors.

Right now he's at 95 innings for the season, and I assume he can get at least 5 more in the next 11 games to get himself up to 100 for the season. He can probably add another 30 in the AFL or instructional league if the Yankees do chose to send him.