Just when things couldn’t get any worse.
Joba Chamberlain has a torn ligament in his throwing arm and will likely require Tommy John surgery and miss the rest of the season, Joe Girardi just announced.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox have beaten the Yankees at Yankee Stadium in their last five meetings — the first time that’s happened to start a season since 1912.
On the bright side, there’s good news out of Phil Hughes camp.
Phil Hughes was consistently hitting 92 on the gun and will start next Tuesday in the GCL
What seems to have been the Yankees’ strength at the beginning the year is now likely another weakness.
Does this injury to Joba mean Hughes will return to the Yankees as a reliever? I don’t think so. Maybe initially, but he’ll build his arm strength back in the process and take back his spot in the rotation.
No matter where Hughes winds up, one thing is for certain. Brian Cashman will need to be aggressive at the trade deadline this year.
Right now, I’m not thrilled with the options except for White Sox left-handed starter John Danks, but it’s still early.
Where will Hughes fit in when he returns? And, what should the Yankees’ top priority be at the trade deadline?
