Medical Expert: Joba Likely Done For Season, But Don't Count Him Out For Good
NEW YORK (WFAN) - As the Yankees await the results of relief pitcher Joba Chamberlain's MRI exam and CT scan, a medical expert weighed in on Saturday on the possibility of the right-hander returning after dislocating his ankle in a trampoline accident with his son.
Doctors are calling the hard-throwing Nebraska native's injury a complicated one that will take a long time to heal.
WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reports
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"The estimates are probably three months of no pressure on it, where he won't be able to walk on it at all," said Dr. Ken Stier, clinical dean at Touro College. "So it's likely that he'll miss the entire season."
But Stier doesn't think that all hope is lost; he does in fact believe that the 26-year-old will eventually return to the mound. Whether he'll be able to throw as hard as he once did is a different story, however.
"I do think he will be able to come back, but it may take a year or more," Stier said. "People don't realize, but the legs are a huge part of pitching. The amount of pressure and torque that's put on the legs, including the ankle, is tremendous."
Prior to sustaining the injury on Thursday, Chamberlain had been progressing well after undergoing elbow ligament replacement surgery.
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