MINNEAPOLIS – Joba Chamberlain wanting to play catch tomorrow in Tampa is an encouraging sign to Yankee manager Joe Girardi. However, the organization won’t let Chamberlain throw until Friday, when the trainers and doctors can monitor the Yankee Stadium exercise.
“I made the suggestion that it be Friday in front of us,” Girardi said.
Girardi said it was a good sign that Chamberlain told the Associated Press he was going to play catch tomorrow and just go from there Monday.
Chamberlain has been out since leaving a game against Texas on Aug. 4 with what was diagnosed as rotator-cuff tendinitis.
While the Yankees plan on having their future ace back this season, a timetable has not been set. And if the Yankees continue to fall in the AL East and wild-card races, it might make sense to shut Chamberlain down for the rest of the season.
If the shoulder calms down enough for Chamberlain to pitch, would he need a minor league rehab start?
“I am not necessarily sure. Let’s see how long it takes,” Girardi said.
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For those who follow such trends, the Yankees are 6-1 in games after getting shutout.
Since Darrell Rasner wasn’t needed out of the bullpen last night he will start tomorrow night against the Twins. The spot opened when Ian Kennedy was sent to Triple-A after getting spanked by the Angels Friday night.
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Phil Hughes and Carl Pavano make minor league starts tonight. Hughes will pitch for Scranton Wilkes-Barre (Triple-A) and Pavano for Trenton (Double-A). They will be limited to 80 to 85 pitches.
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Hideki Matsui continues to make small progress with his left knee in Tampa. He ran the bases yesterday for the first time and could be ready to play in a minor league game soon.
“If everything goes well, I think in a couple days,” Matsui told the AP. “I feel like I’ve been making good progress every day, taking a good step forward each time.”
Matsui, who hasn’t played since June 22, has appeared in 69 games this season, hitting .323 with seven homers and 34 RBIs.
If Matsui returns, it will be strictly as a DH and there is a question of how much playing time he would get. Johnny Damon has thrived in the DH role and Xavier Nady has taken over the left field spot.
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Dave Miley, the Yankees’ SWB (Triple-A) manager, left the club after his son Cody was killed in an auto accident Sunday in Florida.