Yankees haven't settled on role for Chamberlain
The long-term role for New York Yankees righthander Joba Chamberlain has not been determined. New York general manager Brian Cashman yesterday didn't commit to or rule out Chamberlain getting an opportunity to be in the rotation next season. Chamberlain was moved into a relief role Thursday when he lost out to Phil Hughes in the fifth starter competition.
The long-term role for New York Yankees righthander Joba Chamberlain has not been determined.
New York general manager Brian Cashman yesterday didn't commit to or rule out Chamberlain getting an opportunity to be in the rotation next season. Chamberlain was moved into a relief role Thursday when he lost out to Phil Hughes in the fifth starter competition.
Cashman said his focus is on this season and that there have been no decisions made on Chamberlain's status for 2011.
"We haven't had any team meetings and said, 'All right, he's a reliever for the rest of his life.' No we didn't do that," Cashman said. "Essentially, though, I think what the mindset has got to be, he's not going to help us in our rotation right now because we picked five guys. His role on the club is to help us out of the pen."
Chamberlain, who threw a scoreless inning out of the bullpen on Saturday, said he is taking things day by day and that it would be unfair to his teammates to look past this season.
"It's one of those things where you can't look ahead because you've got to be focused on what you're doing right now," Chamberlain said.
There are indications that the Yankees see Chamberlain, who had an 0.38 ERA in 19 games out of the bullpen in his rookie season of 2007, as a reliever for the foreseeable future.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi said the team would likely turn to Sergio Mitre or Alfredo Aceves - and not Chamberlain - should a starting pitcher get hurt. Some have projected Chamberlain as a future replacement for closer Mariano Rivera.
Noteworthy
* Righthander Chad Gaudin, who was released by the Yankees last week, agreed to terms with Oakland and is expected to fill a spot in the Athletics' bullpen.
* Lefthander Aroldis Chapman pitched one inning of a minor league game for Cincinnati, having little trouble after a 1-week layoff because of back spasms.
* Washington manager Jim Riggleman said 24-year-old rookie Ian Desmond beat out incumbent Cristian Guzman and will be the Opening Day shortstop.
* Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said that, barring a trade this week, the Twins will start the regular season with a closer-by-committee approach after Joe Nathan had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. The plan right now is for relievers Matt Guerrier, Jon Rauch, Jesse Crain and Jose Mijares to all get time in the ninth inning early in the season depending on matchups and performance.
* Cleveland first baseman Russell Branyan is going on the disabled list with a herniated disc in his back, giving the starting job to Matt LaPorta. Branyan has yet to play in a Cactus League game because of his back.
* Colorado Rockies closer Huston Street said shoulder stiffness that has sidelined him this spring is lingering, but he will try and throw through the problem with hopes of being able to join the active roster by the end of April.
* The San Francisco Giants announced the signing of three pitchers to contract extensions: righthanded starter Matt Cain, lefthanded setup man Jeremy Affeldt and righthanded closer Brian Wilson.