Hopefully the tightness he felt on Sunday wasn't a big deal and he just needs rest. But I'm still a little concerned that it could be more than that."I'm not going to train any different, I'm not going to do anything different as far as preparation wise," said Chamberlain... "Just the mentality factor - getting set up for the grind of, 'Are you going to be in the bullpen? Are you going to be a starter?' But preparation-wise as far as physically, isn't going to be any difference. I just want to win."
Although Chamberlain said he "just couldn't get loose" Sunday against the Red Sox, he mentioned that "everything's looked good since the last checkup," and that "everything's good" with his shoulder.
As for his role, I know people want him to stay in the pen, but the Yankees problem is not a setup man, it's starting pitching. The Yankees need an ace, and he has the potential to be that ace, he just needs to stay healthy.
If he these shoulder problems persist the Yankees may have to keep him in the pen so he can stay healthy, but until that point they have to keep him in the rotation. He can help the Yankees more as a dominant starter than a dominant reliever.
This is exactly what Jorge was talking about. That's why some many catchers end up as managers.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous,
ReplyDeleteI do have my concerns about Joba, but anything Jorge Posada said didn't make my worries any worse.
Catchers make good managers because they know baseball, if they were great with injuries they'd end up as a trainer.
Anyway I watched that Center Stage last night at it was really good. All he said about Joba was that he doesn't think his arm will hold up over 200+ innings. And that may be true, but I'd still rather rely on what Doctors have to say. And according to Joba in this article, they're saying everything looks OK.
Greg,
ReplyDeletePoint well taken and I'm not saying Jorge is a doctor. To your point though they do know the game mostly because of the view they have. They see what most of us and others withing the game can't see. I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss a guy who's view of Joba is from behind the plate. Jorge has caught enough guys over his career to have validity. To be honest his comments only served to reinforce what I had been thinking.
I would love to see Joba in the rotation every 5th day but I have a gut feeling that may not be in the cards. In fact this isn't that uncommon amongst hard throwers in general. Very few guys have arms like Nolan or Clemens etc. Look at Zumaya, or Gange for instance. I think for Joba to be in the rotation he made need to alter his approach and mechanics to survive long term.
I know what you're saying, I just am not ready to give up on him as a starter yet.
ReplyDeleteMike Mussina mentioned earlier this year that tendinitis isn't a big deal, and coming from a pitcher that's a good thing.
But as I said, I still share the same concerns as you and others, I just wouldn't let those concerns stop me from starting Joba next year, just be smart with his innings.