Joba

Chamberlain

Chamberlain, a product of the University of Nebraska, easily could have been a mid-first-round pick. To go along with his low-90s fastballs, he has two potential plus major league pitches in his slider and changeup. He could move fairly quickly, especially since the Yankees like to push their prospects anyway.

Chamberlain, who is making 30 throws from 30 feet every other day, thinks he’ll be ready for the beginning of spring training. That might seem a tad optimistic given that he had the operation in June, but it does sound like he has a shot to be available by Opening Day. A lot can happen between now and then, however.

Chamberlain began a throwing program in September and has experienced no abnormal pain or discomfort since. He’s aiming to get back to full health by mid-April of 2012.

Chamberlain, who was already rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, suffered an open dislocation of his right ankle while jumping on a trampoline nearly two weeks ago. He still hopes to return before the end of the season, but he’ll have to avoid any setbacks with his ankle or elbow.

“It was a huge loss when we lost him last year and it will be a huge get when we get him back,” Cashman said. Chamberlain is reportedly ahead of schedule in his recovery and has said he’s hoping to return early in the year. Realistically, though, he’s going to miss the first couple months of the season. When ready, he’ll add another big arm to a formidable Yankees bullpen.

The injury, which was an “open” dislocation, was suffered while Chamberlain was playing with his son. It’s a shame, as Chamberlain’s recovery from Tommy John surgery seemed to be progressing ahead of schedule. The Yankees have not provided a timetable for the right-hander’s return, but general manager Brian Cashman called it a “significant” injury. Cashman even answered a question about whether it was potentially a career-threatening injury by saying “I’d like to say no. My heart and my gut tell me no.” Chamberlain had hoped to come back from elbow surgery sometime before the All-Star break, but obviously that’s in jeopardy now.

Chamberlain, who is also coming back from Tommy John surgery, suffered the gruesome injury while playing on a trampoline with his son. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman wasn’t willing to put a timetable on the righty’s return, but referred to it as a “significant injury” and that he “would like to believe it’s not” a career-threatening ailment. Even if it doesn’t end his playing career, it’s possible his Yankees career is over. Chamberlain is arbitration-eligible for the final time this winter.

Chamberlain was throwing from a half-mound until now, so he continues to make encouraging strides in his rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery. The Yankees are hopeful he’ll be able to return to the bullpen sometime in June.

The update was provided via his personal Twitter account. Chamberlain, who dislocated his right ankle in March, now only needs a basketball ankle brace to get around. He’s also ramping up his workload throwing and working out, which is significant since he’s still less than a year removed from Tommy John surgery. There’s a chance he could rejoin the Yankees’ bullpen late this season if all goes well.

Chamberlain dislocated his right ankle while jumping on a trampoline last month, but he has already resumed workout at the Yankees’ complex in Tampa, including playing catch in the outfield Friday with his right knee on a stool. While he hopes to return before the end of the season, he can’t afford any significant setbacks with his ankle or surgically-repaired right elbow.