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Dec 12, 2011 -- 12:46PM, JonahFalcon wrote:

If Joba Chamberlain can be effective again, the Yanks have a pen of Rivera, Robertson, Soriano and Chamberlain.

sounds pretty fantastic to me...you are right, you don't hear too much about Joba...but you know what they say: quite often you come back stronger after surgery such as that...who will be your LHP in the pen?

Dec 12, 2011 -- 2:28PM, BigGuy wrote:

Chamberlain progressing after Tommy John

During a week when all eyes were focused on which pitchers the Yankees might acquire, the guys already under contract were largely ignored. Mariano Rivera was said to be just fine after surgery on his vocal cords, Freddy Garcia finalized his new deal, and Joba Chamberlain continued his steady progress from this summer’s Tommy John surgery.

Using his Twitter feed, Chamberlain has been giving occasional updates, and earlier this week, his most recent update was as upbeat as ever.

Elbow is doing great. Playing long toss, flat ground and it feels awesome. Can’t thank my guys enough at ANDREWS for getting me back!!

Both the free agent and trade markets have been heavy on late-inning relievers, but the Yankees haven’t jumped into that fray. They’ve had little reason to. Very real talent has been on the move — and guys like Ryan Madson and Francisco Cordero are still out there — but the Yankees have plenty of late-inning depth with Rivera, Dave Robertson, Rafael Soriano and (eventually) Chamberlain. Late-inning relief was a strength this year even without Chamberlain. It could be even better if he makes a full and speedy recovery.

Associated Press photo

yankees.lhblogs.com/page/2/

if everything progresses according to plan, when will Joba throwing his first "game" pitch?

Dec 12, 2011 -- 4:12PM, BigGuy wrote:

Dec 12, 2011 -- 2:50PM, 115by7and9in61 wrote:

Dec 12, 2011 -- 2:28PM, BigGuy wrote:

Chamberlain progressing after Tommy John

During a week when all eyes were focused on which pitchers the Yankees might acquire, the guys already under contract were largely ignored. Mariano Rivera was said to be just fine after surgery on his vocal cords, Freddy Garcia finalized his new deal, and Joba Chamberlain continued his steady progress from this summer’s Tommy John surgery.

Using his Twitter feed, Chamberlain has been giving occasional updates, and earlier this week, his most recent update was as upbeat as ever.

Elbow is doing great. Playing long toss, flat ground and it feels awesome. Can’t thank my guys enough at ANDREWS for getting me back!!

Both the free agent and trade markets have been heavy on late-inning relievers, but the Yankees haven’t jumped into that fray. They’ve had little reason to. Very real talent has been on the move — and guys like Ryan Madson and Francisco Cordero are still out there — but the Yankees have plenty of late-inning depth with Rivera, Dave Robertson, Rafael Soriano and (eventually) Chamberlain. Late-inning relief was a strength this year even without Chamberlain. It could be even better if he makes a full and speedy recovery.

Associated Press photo

yankees.lhblogs.com/page/2/

if everything progresses according to plan, when will Joba throwing his first "game" pitch?

According to Cashman last week,  possibly sometime in June.  I'd say after the all star break would be more like it. 

thank you so much for the follow up, Big Guy

Dec 12, 2011 -- 12:57PM, nyyfn27xws wrote:

Chamberlain has been effective. He might not be the 2007 Chamberlain anymore, but he's still a really good reliever.

Correction.....not "reliever"......pitcher.