“Joba Rules” Will Include Stint In the Minors
The Post’s Joel Sherman exclusively reports today on the Yankees plans for stud prospect Joba Chamberlain in 2008. According to Sherman, Joba will prepare as a starter during spring training, but will start the season in the bullpen barring injuries to the current five-man rotation. In the month of June, the plans calls for a demotion to the minors for Chamberlain, where the 22-year-old would stretch himself out over the course of 3-4 weeks in preparation for a role in the major league rotation during the season’s second half.
The Yankees see a dual benefit to the plan, as not only would it allow the organization to limit Joba to roughly 140 innings this season, it would also allow the team to use April and May as an audition period for Joba’s successor in the 8th inning, as a group that includes Kyle Farnsworth, LaTroy Hawkins, Alan Horne, Jose Veras, Edwar Ramirez, and Ross Ohlendorf will be given opportunities in the “less pressurized sixth an dseventh innings.”

















