Joba released from hospital in a special cast

A somber looking Joba Chamberlain was wheeled out of Tampa's St. Joseph's Hospital in a wheelchair with his right ankle in a special cast.

Wearing glasses and an Adidas cap covering his grim and stubbled face, the Yankees reliever didn't answer questions except if he was feeling better after the gruesome injury to his right ankle.

"Yeah," was his reply.

The one thing everyone wanted to know what were those tubes sticking out of the cast on his right foot?

According to Dr. Peter Salob, a sports medicine specialist and orthopedic surgeon in Englewood, N.J., they are most likely tubes used to pump cool water around the pitcher's ankle.

"It's definitely a more aggressive measure to treat it, but with pro sports teams, any type of injury they have , usually they will use some type of ice machine," said Salob.  "This is really critical.  With the type of injury he had, often there's a significant amount of swelling  around the ankle and that's one way to reduce the swelling."

The news that Chamberlain was leaving the hospital and was feeling better was good news for the Yankees.  After Thursday's accident while jumping on a trampoline, there was talk that the severe break was career-ending and even life-threatening.

"It's good to see him out, that he's doing well," said manager Joe Girardi.  "Obviously, the wound has to close up to get through that.  But I am optimistic that he is going to pitch for us this year, I am. And we're going to be there for him the whole  way."

The frustrated Chamberlain— who is already recovering from Tommy John surgery last year— vowed to be back on the mound by this July.

Trampoline accident could sideline Joba Chamberlain for season

New York Yankees reliever Joba Chamberlain suffered what's being called "a significant injury,"an open dislocation of his right ankle, while playing on a trampoline with his five-year-old son at a recreation park.

Chamberlain— who was coming back from Tommy John elbow surgery— suffered the injury at what general manager Brian Cashman explained was a "kid's center with athletic activities featuring trampolines," according to the YES Network.

Cashman was visibly upset as he addressed the media in the Yankees dugout at George M. Steinbrenner Field this morning, saying "Joba is in St. Joseph's Hospital right now."

"While he was enjoying time with his son under those those circumstances, he suffered a very significant injury, an open dislocation of the ankle.  He underwent a surgical procedure last night," said Cashman.  "He will be at St. Joseph's for a number of days.  I don't have a timetable for his return."

Asked if the injury was "career-threatening," Cashman replied, "I would like to think that it is not," but the GM sounded like it was serious.

"Let's keep him in our prayers," he said, "because obviously he's facing a lot right now."

Chamberlain often tweets about his son Karter and  posted a photo of the two of them together two days ago.  It was reported that his son was not hurt.

The one time set-up man who has already bounced from starter to middle reliever did not figure in the Yankees immediate bullpen plans, but this latest setback— which Cashman called "massive"— looks like it could keep him off the roster for the entire season.

Chamberlain is beginning his sixth season after making a dramatic debut in 2007.  The Yankees attempted to convert the flame-throwing righthander into a starter in 2008 and 2009 to mixed results.  The last two seasons were spent in the bullpen and in surgery rehab.

He is slated to make $1.675 million this season and will be a free agent after the 2013 season.