Report: Joba Chamberlain May Miss All of Yankees Season With Cast, Boot on Ankle

by Jen Slothower on Mon, Mar 26, 2012 at 4:48PM

Yankees reliever Joba Chamberlain, who complicated his offseason recovery from Tommy John surgery Thursday when he mangled his foot on a trampoline while playing with his son, could be facing a long layoff before he returns to the mound.

Chamberlain will need to wear a cast for six weeks, then a boot for another six weeks after dislocating his right ankle — sending a bone through his skin — at Rebounderz, a play place for kids, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports. Chamberlain has since had surgery on the ankle.

Chamberlain, who was already working to bring his arm back from surgery, is now all but ruled out for playing this season, Heyman reports.

When asked about Chamberlain’s return this year, general manager Brian Cashman said, “If everything goes right, it’s possible,” and he confirmed that the Yankees are not looking to release Chamberlain to save on his $1.8 million salary this year. But other sources are saying Chamberlain’s return could be stalled even into the 2013 season since his injured ankle is on his push-off leg, Heyman said.