Joba Chamberlain revealed yesterday that he had problems getting loose on Sunday in Boston. But he says his shoulder’s fine.
“We’re good,” Chamberlain said outside Yankee Stadium. “Everything’s been good since the last check-up and everything comes out good. There was nothing different.”
That would be reassuring because Chamberlain already missed time with rotator cuff tendinitis this year and the last thing the Yankees could afford is more shoulder trouble, especially if it’s more serious. Chamberlain said he has not had any further tests since Sunday.
The 23-year-old downplayed the situation and said he wasn’t worried.
“I just couldn’t get loose,” he said. “Sitting around, a couple days I didn’t play catch. But that’s the way it goes.”
His physical situation aside, the question remains: In what capacity will he pitch next season? The Yanks in the past have stated their intentions to make the power righty a starter, but who the team acquires in the offseason could also affect the plan.
“I just want to win,” Chamberlain said of his preference. “It all comes down to winning a championship. Winning a championship is great, but winning a championship with the Yankees is a whole different ballgame. I’m excited to get going on that this offseason and try to prepare for that.”
As far as what he would like to see his team do this offseason, Chamberlain said, “There’s going to be a lot of things. You can do this, situations where you get this guy and that guy. Everybody knows the people that we’re probably going to try and go after.”