BALTIMORE — Joba Chamberlain is expected back from the bereavement list in time for tonight’s game against the Orioles at Camden Yards and Jorge Posada was slated to play first base against lefty Brian Burres instead of the slumping Jason Giambi.
Chamberlain, who left the club Monday to be with his ailing father Harlan in Lincoln, Neb., informed the club that he would be with it in time for the 7:05 start. Chamberlain, who hasn’t pitched since April 10, threw two bullpen sessions at home and is likely available for tonight’s game.
The seven-day bereavement list exemption was going to expire tomorrow. It was not known who the Yankees would send out to make room for Chamberlain. Jonathan Albaladejo was elevated from SWB (Triple-A) to take Chamberlain’s spot but he was sent back Friday night to make room for Edwar Ramirez after Albaladejo went three innings and threw 48 pitches Thursday night against the Red Sox. Ramirez went 2 1/3rd innings Friday night and threw 36 pitches.
As for Posada at first it was the 19th game (13th start) he played in his career. Posada last started a game there on June 19 at Colorado.
Posada has been bothered by what has been diagnosed as a strained right shoulder. Outside of an inning last Sunday night in Boston when he was forced into the game because Jose Molina went out with a hamstring injury, Posada hasn’t caught since April 8.
Molina is expected to make his first start since Sunday.