Per Hardball Talk, news has just come down that New York Yankees relief pitcher Joba Chamberlain has a torn ligament in his elbow, and will likely undergo Tommy John surgery.
Assuming Chamberlain has surgery, that puts him on the shelf for the rest of 2011 and, most likely, much of 2012.
Chamberlain was, along with Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, part of a core of young pitchers that, a few years ago, seemed prime to step up and anchor the Yankee rotation for years to come. Chamberlain debuted in the bullpen, and has not impressed in his chances at being a starter, resulting in his being relegated to a middle relief role prior to his injury.
Hughes looked like a stud last season, but an injury has sidelined him for much of the 2011 season.
Kennedy ended up getting dealt to Arizona as part of the three-way trade that brought Curtis Granderson to New York.
This could impact the Texas Rangers because New York was already thought to be looking to acquire a reliever at the trade deadline, given the struggles of Rafael Soriano. With Chamberlain now also on the shelf, the main guys behind closer Mariano Rivera consist of David Robertson, Boone Logan, and Hector Noesi.
That means New York is likely to be even more aggressive in the trade market in pursuing relievers, potentially driving up the price that the Rangers would have to pay if they want to land someone like Mike Adams or Kerry Wood next month.