Joba Chamberlain was potentially one more bad start this spring from possibly being sent to the bullpen or even to triple-A.  Prior to today, Chamberlain sported a 27.00 ERA (after today 16.20 ERA).  Challenged to “pick it up” and show the Yankees something special, Chamberlain answered the call with four strong innings of one-run ball against the Phillies at Bright House Field, keeping in competition to serve as New York’s fifth starter to open the season.  Chamberlain worked so efficiently, the Yankees had to ask the Phillies to come back to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning, even though Philadelphia had already put the finishing touches on a 6-2 victory. Given three more outs, Chamberlain quickly dispatched those batters, too.

Chamberlain is battling not only Phil Hughes, but also Alfredo Aceves, Chad Gaudin and Sergio Mitre, to stay out of the bullpen and the Minor Leagues to begin the season. While some might have considered him the early favorite, two rocky starts put that in serious doubt.  Aceves, Mitre and Hughes all sport ERAs of under 3.00 and have been performing at a higher level than Joba until today.  Chamberlain will have at least one more start before Girardi would like to iron out the fifth-starter mix by March 25 or 26, so that the pitchers who will be heading to the bullpen have time to get ready.  Information from Bryan Hoch of MLB.com was used in this story.