If tomorrow’s bullpen session goes without a hitch Joba Chamberlain will take the next step in his rehabilitation process.
Nevertheless, pinning the Yankees down on what that will be isn’t easy.
“We are taking it a day at a time and see how he feels,” manager Joe Girardi said of the right-hander Chamberlain, who will throw his third bullpen session and is expected to make 35 to 45 pitches and throw breaking balls and fastballs. “He could do a simulated game Double-A (Trenton) and Triple-A (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre) are in the playoffs so there is time.”
Chamberlain has been on the DL since leaving an Aug. 4 game in Texas with what was diagnosed as rotator cuff tendinitis.
GM Brian Cashman didn’t say if the Yankees’ place in the standings would dictate if Chamberlain is activated. The Yankees lost 7-3 to the Red Sox last night at the Stadium, falling six games behind Boston in the wild-card race.
“We are going to do what is best for him,” Cashman said.
Girardi said he hadn’t heard anything about Edwar Ramirez‘s appeal hearing. Ramirez was suspended for three games on July 31 after being ejected the day before when he threw close to Baltimore’s Kevin Millar.
Rosters expand Monday when the Yankees are in Detroit for a makeup game. Though catcher Chad Moeller and outfielder Melky Cabrera are locks to be added, Phil Hughes‘ chances didn’t sound too good yesterday.
“No one is called up unless they earn their way up,” Cashman said. “We are bringing people who can help us.”
Based on Hughes’ Triple-A numbers, he can’t be counted on to help. He is 0-0 with an 8.47 ERA in four games and has allowed 24 hits in 17 innings for SWB.
Ian Kennedy‘s numbers (5-3; 2.60 in 12 games) at SWB are better, but he has been given three cracks at the majors and failed in all three.
The Red Sox placed outfielder J.D. Drew on the DL with a lower back problem. . . . Sidney Ponson (7-4; 4.67 ERA) faces RHP Paul Byrd (8-11; 4.61) tonight and Mike Mussina (16-7; 3.45) draws LHP Jon Lester (12-5; 3.49) tomorrow.