Iwakuma 00740314

02/14/2008 2:30 PM ET
Notes: Joba keeps an open mind
Right-hander puts trust in Yankees, regardless of role for '08
By Anthony DiComo / MLB.com






TAMPA, Fla. -- If there's a plan for Joba Chamberlain, he doesn't know it yet.
After a winter's worth of speculation regarding his role with the Yankees, Chamberlain's status isn't any clearer now than it was in October. He could be a starter. He could be a reliever. He could be both. And he insists he doesn't really care.

"I just show up every day, do my work," Chamberlain said, "and when they come talk to me and they present me with what's going on, then that's that. I'm kind of laid back in understanding that they've got some stuff to figure out, too."

Chamberlain is a big part of that "stuff," and his role will trickle down to every member of the rotation and the bullpen. If he begins the season as a starter, that would likely knock fellow rookie Ian Kennedy back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. If he begins the season as a reliever, it would cost some other hopeful a job.

A report in the New York Post on Tuesday stated that Chamberlain would likely begin the season in the bullpen before heading down to the Minors, stretching out his arm and returning late in the season as a starter. That situation would allow the Yankees to keep him under a strict innings limit -- reportedly around 140 -- while also buying time for the team to find a reliable setup reliever.

It's something that Chamberlain has considered, but not embraced. He won't embrace anything until he knows his role for sure.

"They're going to set me up to succeed with preparing me well and not rushing me," Chamberlain said. "I'm going to take my bumps. It's going to happen and I understand that, but I'm going to learn from that."

Either way, Chamberlain is prepared to grow as a player. While he succeeded last year throwing almost exclusively fastballs and sliders, Chamberlain said he plans to showcase his curveball and changeup more often this year -- regardless of his role.

"You've got to surprise some people with some things," Chamberlain said. "It'll be nice to bring out some old tricks."

Knee-jerk reaction: Hideki Matsui admitted on Thursday that his running ability was affected by consistent pain in his right knee over last season's final two months. Now, he says, those troubles are behind him -- or so he hopes.

Matsui had offseason arthroscopic surgery to clean out that knee, and though he hasn't returned to game shape quite yet, he said he expects to be there by the end of Spring Training.

"We still have about a month and a half until Opening Day," Matsui said through an interpreter. "That's a lot of time. I'm sure that by then, I should be feeling pretty good."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said on Wednesday that he also anticipates Matsui to be ready by April. How accurate that assessment turns out to be, however, will likely determine whether Matsui can begin the season playing left field or serving as the designated hitter.

"I've been working this offseason to get back to the outfield," Matsui said. "That's been my goal."

Changing of the guard: For the first time in a long time, Mike Mussina feels a bit insecure.

Despite general manager Brian Cashman's affirmation on Wednesday that he would indeed be a member of the rotation, Mussina enters camp knowing that he has to prove his worth. Last season was by far the worst of his career -- a 5.15 ERA and 11 wins couldn't match his expectations -- and he has already lost his starting job once.

With all the young pitching talent the Yankees have now amassed, there's always a chance he might lose it again.

"If I don't deserve to go out there, then I shouldn't go out there," Mussina said. "I'm not going to sit here and say that I've earned the right to be a starter because I've pitched for 17 years. What I've done in the past has nothing to do with now."

Getting his Phil: As recently as last month, Phil Hughes couldn't be positive he'd even be here in Tampa. He was the biggest chip the Yankees were dangling in a potential trade for Johan Santana, and Cashman went as far as to tell Hughes through his agent to be prepared for the worst.

"It's kind of a weird feeling," Hughes said. "To have the ability to just be thrown around wherever, it's tough. Especially here, because I've never really known any other organization, and this is always where I wanted to be."

Now, because the Yankees didn't land Santana, there's a bit of added pressure placed on Hughes, Kennedy and the other pitchers who represent the team's new philosophy of player development. The Yankees always hoped their young players could succeed. Now they're expecting it, which doesn't bother Hughes one bit.

"I put way more pressure on myself than anybody could possibly put on me," Hughes said. "It's not really been an issue."

Bombers bits: Catching prospect Francisco Cervelli broke his hand in winter ball, according to Cashman. He has approval to participate in all defensive activities and is within a week of gaining clearance to hit. ... Mussina has no designs on deciding his long-term future any time soon. "I go into every year thinking it could be my last year," he said. "I'll just play out the year and we'll go from there."

Anthony DiComo is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.