Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain suffered a gruesome injury yesterday that may spell the end of his season—and potentially his career. Chamberlain was reportedly playing with his son, Karter, on a trampoline at a children's recreation center when he dislocated his right ankle. Karter was unhurt, but according to the News, Chamberlain's bone was sticking out of his ankle and he was bleeding profusely. Yankees GM Brian Cashman was asked about whether the serious injury was a career-ender: "I couldn't say. I just couldn't say. I'd like to say no. My heart and my gut tells me no, that's not the case. But at the same time, I don't want to spew information that I'm not really in a position to talk about. It's not my area of expertise."
According Dr. Steven Weinfeld, the Chief of the Foot and Ankle Service and Associate Professor or Orthopedic Surgery at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, there is chance unfortunately: "The dislocation means the ankle bone is forced out of its socket by some sort of injury and 'open' means the skin is ripped open, like with what Joe Theismann had with his injury." Weinfeld added ominously, "This makes it not only a career-threatening injury, but a limb-threatening injury. There is a small percentage of people who end up with an amputation."
Chamberlain had surgery on Thursday night at St. Joseph's Hospital, and is expected to remain in the hospital for several days for the injury. He was already working his way back from Tommy John surgery last June—he had been throwing well enough that he figured he'd be back in the bullpen in a few months. Weinfeld added, "I would be very surprised if he played this year. He won't be able to weight-bear for two or three months, let alone start baseball activities." Dr. Michael Kaplan, ESPN's medical analyst, agreed with that assessment. "I think you all know Joba is someone who has a history of healing very well. But at the same time, this is unfortunately the news of the day," Cashman said.
