Written by Greg Fertel
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27 August 2007
Al Leiter, Michael Kay, and David Justice just engaged in a vehement debate over the rules governing Joba Chamberlain. In case you haven't heard, Joba Chamberlain must be rested after every appearance, and given two days rest after a two inning appearance.
Joe Torre has quietly, publicly, questioned this mindset in recent days. "He only needed 10 pitches tonight. Why can't he pitch again tomorrow". No one really has said it, but the "Joba Rules" have less to do with Joba Chamberlain and more to do with Joe Torre.
Relief pitchers are incredibly fragile. B.J. Ryan, Eric Gagne, Octavio Dotel, Jason Isringhausen and many other relievers develop major arm problems despite throwing 85 or fewer innings every year. Starting pitchers have the advantage of regular rest; allowing their arm to heal a little bit in between starts. Joe Torre makes the problem worse - notoriously overusing relief pitchers.
Joba Chamberlain probably wouldn't be harmed by using him on consecutive days once in awhile. The problem? Brian Cashman is telling Joe Torre, "I can't trust you to make that decision, so I'm going to take it out of your hands".
I get the sense that the "Joba Rules" are as much as a political effort by Cashman to exercise some measure of control over Joe Torre as they are an effort to protect Joba's arm. Most managers (and with the proper instruction, probably Joe Torre) would be able to discipline themselves and make Joba's availability a game-time decision.
