TORONTO — Having been in a similar situation two years ago Joba Chamberlain has been following the Matt Harvey elbow saga.
Like Harvey, Chamberlain really never felt pain in the elbow that was diagnosed as a torn medial ligament which is different than Harvey’s tear in the right ulna collateral ligament.
“I could turn a doorknob and rub my head and people said I couldn’t do that,’’ said Chamberlain, who like Harvey was examined by Dr.James Andrews. “[Andrews] said he didn’t operate on healthy arms.’’
Chamberlain long tossed, was a little sore and told Andrews he wanted to have Tommy John surgery.
“For me it was a matter of getting it done and knowing it was fixed,’’ Chamberlain said of the June 2011 surgery.
Harvey has opted to avoid surgery and hopes a six- to eight-week throwing program will help him stay away from Andrews’ scalpel.
“Everyone is different and I hope the best for Matt. Maybe he is the exception to the rule like [Roy] Halladay was,’’ Chamberlain said of the Phillies right-hander who opted for no surgery on a similar problem. “I just hope Matt is mentally where he needs to be.’’
Manager Joe Girardi said he is looking forward to getting a big piece of the bullpen back Friday night against the Giants.
Boone Logan, who hasn’t pitched in a game since Sept. 6 because of a bone spur in the left elbow that was discovered Monday, threw a bullpen session Wednesday at Rogers Centre.
“My hope is yes, but it really all depends on how he feels [Thursday],’’ Girardi said of Logan being available. “If he feels good tomorrow, then I would say he’s a player for us Friday.’’
Alex Rodriguez was the designated hitter for the seventh straight game Wednesday night and extended his slide to 1-for-19 in the Yankees’ 4-3 win over the Blue Jays by going 0-for-4.
Rodriguez has been hobbled by a left hamstring injury and a right calf problem.
Eduardo Nunez started at third base. It was his first start since Friday night in Boston when he misplayed a ball but wasn’t charged with an error. Nunez went 1-for-4.
Looking for a safe bet? Try the Yankees in games after they are blanked.
Wednesday night’s 4-3 win raised their season’s record to 8-2 in games after they don’t score a run.
They are 34-11 since 2008 which was Girardi’s first year managing in The Bronx.
Friday night marks the Giants first visit to the current Yankee Stadium. San Francisco is the 24th different opponent to play in the Stadium. The Yankees are 18-5 in an opponent’s first games at the Stadium.