Pregame notes: “I can promise you I’m going to pitch”
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Jul 02, 2012 
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Joba Chamberlain threw 40 pitches of live batting practice at the Yankees minor league complex today. He’ll throw a simulated game on Friday and expects to begin a rehab assignment sooner than later.
“I knew going into (the rehab process) what was expected, what it was gonna take,” Chamberlain said. “And I believed in myself being able to do it. It’s always nice when you have people doubt you. It gives you a little more reason to work. There was people who said I wasn’t going to pitch this year, or ever again. … But I can promise you I’m going to pitch. I can promise you that. You can write that down, too. Tell everybody. It’s going to happen.”
Chamberlain looked fit, and he sounded like his old selft, already giving Chad Qualls a hard time for his shaggy hair.
“I thought he looked really pretty good today,” Joe Girardi said. “I thought his location was good. I thought his breaking ball was good. He threw some changneups even. I was pleased.”
Ever since he sat in front of the media to discuss his spring training ankle injury, Chamberlain has insisted he would pitch this season. Now it seems close enough to think it’s going to happen, and Chamberalin believes he could be back in the big leagues before the end of this month. That said, he explained that he’s been given no exact rehab schedule. He just feels good and expects to continue this progress.
“I totally forgot I even had elbow surgery to be honest with you,” he said. “I guess you just hurt another body part and everything else goes away. But yeah, my elbow’s been great. We’ve had nothing there and we’ll just continue the maintenance on those two things and keep going.”
• Qualls showed up in the Yankees clubhouse about an hour ago. He said he shaved today, but his hair was pretty long and all over the place. He joked that he’s not even sure whether he shaved close enough to play for the Yankees, and he’s pretty sure the hair is going to have to be trimmed. “My wife’s probably only seen me shaved twice,” he said. “I think the first time, she told me, ‘Don’t ever to it again.’ But this time, I think she’s going to have to bear with me on this one.”
• Girardi made it clear that Rafael Soriano and Dave Robertson have control of the ninth and eighth innings and Qualls will slot into the mix-and-match group that’s been handling the middle innings. “Just another right-hander for us,” Girardi said. “Sinkerball guy that can get groundballs type of guy. He’s obviously pitched in some later innings in his career. We’ll use him and we’ll mix him in.”
• Qualls on his role: “I’ve been around a little while, so I know I can come in and get key outs in crucial situations, and help get the ball to Soriano in the 9th. I’m going to come in here, throw wherever Joe wants me to throw, and do my best.”
• The Yankees told Cory Wade to report to Triple-A and get his location problems sorted out. “Really difficult (conversation),” Girardi said. “It’s a guy that’s meant a lot to us over the last year. The last month has been a struggle for him and we talked about going down and getting your stuff right. He sucked it up for us the other day by giving us almost 60 pitches. Go down, get your stuff right and you’ll be helping us again.”
• After chipping a tooth yesterday, Raul Ibanez is flying to Tampa tonight and Girardi expects him to be available at some point today. As of right now, I haven’t seen him.
• Girardi came into this series having decided to give Russell Martin one game off. He decided to do it today after some hot games back home in New York.
• After a setback a few days ago, David Aardsma is undergoing additional tests on his surgically repaired elbow. Aardsma seemed to be moving quickly toward joining the Yankees, but he’s suffered a setback.
• CC Sabathia is supposed to play catch today. Might have already happened but I didn’t see it.
• Robinson Cano has been named the A.L. Player of the Week.
Associated Press photos
Welcome back Chad.
Pat M. July 2nd, 2012 at 6:24 pm
I just don’t understand what’s happened to this blog over the pass few years…..Anything and ecerything is polarizing and is immediately open for a firery debate……I took more heat for just passing on a something about Montero maybe being traded than I did in Dec 2008 when I mentioned that The Yanks were going to sign Mark Texeria…….It’s almost as though if you post something you need to be prepared to defend yourself or hire an attorney ……..I’m beginning to fully understand what SJ meant ………This mentality has driven many a good poster away over the past 2 years or so…….
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The two or three complaining about what you posted have posted worse rumors based on less than yours did, Pat. Ignore ‘em.
Pat M,
Don’t pay attention…You didn’t do anything wrong, besides enriched the blog with some information that could be a good topic for debate. Nothing less, nothing more.
Robbie had a really good interview on ESPN a little bit ago as he announced his Bomb Squad.
I thought Curtis was going to be on it? Actually glad that he isn’t. I worry that the HR derby can mess with a guys swing a bit and right now Curtis has been going the other way very nicely and still hitting bombs.
Pat M-
Don’t worry about it. I was kidding you when I said my Yogism-”I didn’t say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.”
Jobber is a stahtin’ pitchah!
Pat M. your a solid poster. There is a lot of other dead weight to get out of here first.
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Really surprised at how quickly Wade started to trend downwards. The guy had been nothing but solid since joining the team, except of course as of late. This may be for the best. Give him a chance to take a deep breath and figure some things out in the minors.
Pat M,
If people start to refrain from speaking their minds, this is going to be a very boring place. As I said yesterday, this a place for good and honest debate. Different opinions should be embraced and promoted. Uniformity is dull and counterproductive. The more topics, the better, so please continue sharing your perspective and your particular source of information.
yankeefeminista July 2nd, 2012 at 6:35 pm
Jobber is a stahtin’ pitchah!
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+100 !!!!
I’ll be darned. AJ Burnett is considered to be an All-Star snub this year.
What a difference a year makes, eh?
yankeefeminista July 2nd, 2012 at 6:35 pm
Jobber is a stahtin’ pitchah!
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A Gardner sighting in the Yankee clubhouse.
Erik Boland?@eboland11
Yankees executive Felix Lopez making an appearance in the dugout before the game.
get an interview, Chad.
Until later everyone. Pat M- Your’e a valuable poster so keep up the dialogue. Yankees score early and often!!
Wade has been very good for us in the past. Hoping to see him recharge and return to form.
Unknown,
One thing I noticed is that he is no longer using the over the top arm slot…In ST I noticed the same thing, every time he used a more side arm slot he got hammered…He needs to work on that.
Luis, Odds
Against All Odds July 2nd, 2012 at 6:41 pm
yankeefeminista July 2nd, 2012 at 6:35 pm
Jobber is a stahtin’ pitchah!
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YF,
He definitely has the make up to start…I would say that he has the drive as well…Add to that the repertoire and he is a waste of talent as the 6th inning guy IMO
By time Wade returns to form there may not be room for him if Joba comes back soon and Qualls pitches well.
JAP!!!!
How are you! Long time no see my friend!!
Luis – Great take. I think he can figure it out again. Probably see Corey up again soon.
In the meantime get Qualls a haircut and lets see what he can do.
Tidrow,
You handle is a blast from the past!! Dick Tidrow!! I loved that guy
All is lost. Cowboy Joe West is tonight’s home plate umpire.
Wonder if Joba would leave Yankees when he’s eligible for free agency if other team offered starting spot in their rotation.
My take is that as much as I love Joba…They won’t be able to afford him…And he will leave to start somewhere else
Luis……..Glad Tidrow rekindled good memories for you. How about that mustache of his…lol
Tarheel In NYC July 2nd, 2012 at 6:18 pm
AJ Burnett is considered to be an all-star snub this year.
What a difference a year makes, eh?
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It seems like Burnett’s lack of consistency while wearing pinstripes could very well have been due to the mental stress and daily grind of putting extra pressure on himself to perform in this environment that he didn’t have to deal with in TOR and doesn’t have to deal with in PIT.
I think for several years, A-Rod was also a victim of such immense pressure (prior to finally getting his ring) and the media focus and boos at the Stadium sure as hell didn’t do him any favors.
That’s not to suggest that Burnett [or A-Rod] is/was mentally weak who couldn’t hack it in the Bronx but does emphasize how the mental game of baseball is frankly even more challenging than the physical aspect.
I don’t care how much a ballplayer earns, the daily mental stress all players have to deal with in this performance business is most likely much more intense and tiring than most fans realize.
Okay, now that I’ve channeled my inner Phil Donahue, I’ll stop right here before someone throws a chair at me. #Geraldo
Any way we can inject some of Joba’s spun platelets into Gardner and Pineda…..dude is some kind of mutant.
Tidrow that was his trademark, even though Goose Gossage and Sparky Lyle weren’t far behind on the mustache contest
GF,
I always say that the mental makeup of a player is the key ingredient to perform at a high level. I told a story of my playing days about a pitcher that didn’t have the best stuff of the staff, but when the season was on the line, the manager always gave him the ball. Because of his mental toughness.
At the MLB level like in golf the difference maker is usually mental make up.
luis July 2nd, 2012 at 6:47 pm
JAP!!!!
How are you! Long time no see my friend!!
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Well, primo. Y tu tambien? Just giving the thumbs up on Chamberlain.
Pat M, you have hung in there this long, don’t let it get to you, too.
Unfortunately, you are right. If youPTAst an opinion here, it must be accompanied by a laundry list of disclaimers, otherwise you get nitpicked to death or worse.
Luis,
I appreciate open and honest debate and genuine differences of opinion, politely stated. Unfortunately, this place is a microcosm of “real life” and so there are those who argue and challenge for the sport of it and are cantankerous to boot. That I can do without and is the reason why I pick my spot to post at all.
FYI, Ravel is not in SI lineup.
GF,
I think you make some excellent points. I’m happy for AJ. As a Yankees fan, he drove me nuts. But personally, I always thought he seemed like a good guy who was his own harshest critic.
Regardless of the reason(s), I’m really happy that he seems to be thriving professionally in Pittsburgh.
Berman doing the game on ESPN. Oh boy…
Waiting for dinner, and the game, so checking….
GF- I completely agree. It just wasn’t going to happen here. Given that, it was time for him to mI’ve on. Doesn’t mean he didn’t try or was a bad person.
Have a good night.
Villa Nova-Ya July 2nd, 2012 at 7:00 pm
Pat M, you have hung in there this long, don’t let it get to you, too.
Unfortunately, you are right. If youPTAst an opinion here, it must be accompanied by a laundry list of disclaimers, otherwise you get nitpicked to death or worse.
Luis,
I appreciate open and honest debate and genuine differences of opinion, politely stated. Unfortunately, this place is a microcosm of “real life” and so there are those who argue and challenge for the sport of it and are cantankerous to boot. That I can do without and is the reason why I pick my spot to post at all.
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Villa,
I do understand your position…By honest and good debate, I meant that it also has to be respectful..If we don’t respect each other in our differences there is very little chance of finding common ground…I do like your posts as well, even when I don’t agree with them…So please show up more often, you certainly give this blog a lot.
JAP,
Stick around please
Let’s go Yankees!
YANKS CHART, DESCENDING ORDER