The loss of Joba Chamberlain for any period of time could be devastating for the Yankees who may finally have one injury too many. I’m amazed at how the Yanks have pieced together a respectable year after losing Posada, Matsui, Wang, Hughes et al for extended periods. They even made some brilliant moves at the trade deadline–getting Pudge, Marte, Naday and Sexon for virtually nothing. But losing Joba may be too much.

The latest word on the Joba Chamberlain injury is that he’s out for at least 15 days after which he’ll begin rehabbing. In other words, the MRI results he got were not the worst possible, and surgery seems avoidable for now. But with only 6 or so weeks left in the season and with the yanks 6.5 and 3.5 out of the division and wildcard respectively, things look grim. To make up that kind of ground, they yanks need to go on a tear of epic proportions, and we all know how difficult that can be with an inconsistent starting rotation.

That said, Colorado pulled off such a tear last year with a group of pitchers headed up by Jeff Francis, so stranger things have happened not that long ago. But the real issue is that there are three good teams in the Yanks’ division for the first time in a long time, and only two of them can play in October. In addition, the the Twins and Rangers can’t be overlooked as playoff contenders, so the bottom line is that the Yanks will need to trend on a .700 winning percentage to even think about the postseason. Again, not impossible, but very difficult given the lack of pop in the offense and the lack of consistency by the pitching.

One final thought: it would really twist the knife into the fans if the Yanks can’t somehow rally and play October baseball in the last year of the Stadium. If this does happen, check out these autographed bats and get yourself a nice souvenir to dull the pain.

Joba Chamberlain’s debut as a starter was by most measures a dissapointment. Chamberlain lasted just 2 1/3 innings Tuesday against Toronto, and Girardi pulled him after 62 pitches, about what the Yankees had planned to limit him to. He allowed two runs on one hit and four walks, striking out three.

Chamberlain’s latest start against KC was also mixed, and he will not stand to win this game. He allowed 5 hits and 2 earned runs through 4 1/3 innings.

So how good does this decision to bring Chamberlain out of his set-up role after two starts? It’s probably too early to tell, but it’s clear that Chamberlain may not be completely comfortable starting games. It does not help that he’s on another pitch count leash, which may serve a kind of distraction.

There are rumors that the yankees may be interested in Brian Fuentes of the Rockies who would potentially fill the void that Joba left in the bullpen. A deal for Fuentes would indicate the Yankees are fully committed to Joba as a starter.

Expectations for Joba are high. While he wasn’t rocked in any of his starts, he hasn’t come out of the bullpen seemlessly a la John Smoltz. Joba doesn’t look fully confident.

Unfortunately, with with Ian Kennedy ineffective and Phil Hughes injured (again), moving Chamberlain into the rotation is a clear desperation move on the part of the Yanks. With Boston pulling away in first place and the yanks continuing to play .500 ball, there may not be much more amo left short of a blockbuster deal–one that would include more than Brian Fuentes.

After a third of a season gone, how smart does the non-deal for Johan Santana look now? Not very good.