BlackAmericans.com

It would be too simplistic to say injuries alone ruined the Yankees’ season. But health was the biggest factor. The Yankees were not a bad team this season. But they were never whole.

It is all about the math with Joba Chamberlain, and the math does not add up for him to open next season in the Yankees’ starting rotation.

Manager Joe Girardi strongly suggested that when Joba Chamberlain returns from the disabled list he would come back as a reliever, not a starter.

Before the season started, the Yankees planned every step of Joba Chamberlain’s development. But now that he is injured, the team insists there is no plan beyond Thursday.

Joba Chamberlain was back on a mound again Saturday at Camden Yards, making 35 throws in the bullpen before the Yankees played the Baltimore Orioles.

Ian Kennedy will be back with the Yankees on Friday, ready to resume a season that started poorly by taking Joba Chamberlain’s place in the rotation.

An hour or so after announcing that Joba Chamberlain has rotator cuff tendinitis, the Yankees watched Iván Rodríguez take a crushing hit at the plate.

The rest of Joba Chamberlain’s season is in doubt after the Yankees placed him on the disabled list Wednesday with rotator cuff tendinitis in his right shoulder.

It is hard to imagine that Joba Chamberlain will avoid the disabled list after being scratched from his next start and sent to meet with an orthopedic surgeon after tests on his shoulder.

Joba Chamberlain was removed from his start at Rangers Ballpark with two out in the fifth inning with what the team called a stiff right shoulder.