Yankees GM Brian Cashman Defends 'Joba Rules'
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) -- Yankees fans know all too well about the "Joba Rules."
They've been debated and dissected since Joba Chamberlain burst onto the Bronx scene in 2007. So now that he likely requires Tommy John surgery for a torn ligament in his right elbow, it had to be asked: Does Yankees general manager Brian Cashman regret how he handled his young hurler?
His short answer: No.
"Those rules exist in our minor leagues. The only reason it was publicized up here is they were put in a position at the big-league level to protect guys," said Cashman. "You don't normally have to do that at this level because guys don't move that fast."
"They weren't created for Joba," Cashman added. "They existed for years ... I don't think there's any regret in trying to err on the side of caution to try to protect players."
Not only did the Yankees try to limit his innings with the "Joba Rules," Chamberlain was stretched out to start games in 2009 before moving back to the bullpen on a full-time basis the next season.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi said there was no second-guessing on how the club had handled Chamberlain.
"There's no exact science," he said.
Chamberlain said he was "kind of in shock" and shed a few tears at the diagnosis, and said he didn't know how or when he hurt himself.
"I know I can get surgery and get it fixed," he said.
The Yankees said they would send reports on Chamberlain to noted orthopedist Dr. James Andrews. Chamberlain, Andrews and the Yankees plan to discuss the condition before deciding on a course of action.
Do you blame the Yankees for Joba's injury? Sound off in the comments below...
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