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MLB Betting News: Joba to Stay in Hut...Err, Pen
Joba Chamberlain will start the 2008 season in the Yankees bullpen. (AP Images)
Pardon the futile attempt at a title pun. But c'mon. It's so easy.
New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi announced today that flamethrowing Joba Chamberlain will begin the regular season in the bullpen, this despite widespread belief that he'd be moved to a starting job to aid the suspect Yankee rotation.
"We think that's where he fits in best right now," Girardi told reporters on Wednesday. "He's a back-end guy. That's how I'm going to classify him."
Chamberlain, 22, had spent most of spring training preparing and practicing as though he'd be a starter, but didn't seem surprised by the news. He was phenomenal in middle and end relief for the Yankees last season, going 2-0 with a 0.38 ERA and one save in 19 games, striking out 34 and walking six in 24 innings.
But he struggled in his starting apperances this spring. His last outing left a lot to be desired - against Detroit in a split-squad game, he allowed three runs and four hits in three innings. All told, Chamberlain has a 6.14 ERA in just over seven innings pitched this spring.