Joba Chamberlain Suffers Career and Life Threatening Injury

Steve Mohan in Native Currents. Discussion »

TAMPA – New York Yankees Pitcher Joba Chamberlain, Winnebago, suffered an open dislocation of his right ankle on Thursday. Joba was at a recreation center playing with his 5 year old son, Kater, when the injury occurred. He had surgery Thursday night and will stay in the hospital for the next few days due to the severity of the injury.

Joba Chamberlain-Winnebago

An open dislocation is when the ankle bone is forced from the socket and rips through the skin. Joba lost a large amount of blood that caused his life to be in danger before he was taken to the hospital for surgery. Early reports have Joba missing much if not all of the 2012 season and this could force him to retire due to the severity of the open dislocation. The Yankees have given no time table for a return and are awaiting the results of some tests this week to get a better idea of where Joba stands and if the injury is more serious than originally.

Joba Chamberlain is one of 3 current Native Americans on MLB rosters. The other two players are Kyle Lohse who pitches for the St. Louis Cardinals and Jacoby Ellsbury of the Boston Red Sox. Joba has spent his entire career with the New York Yankees playing mostly in relief. He currently was trying to comeback from Tommy John Surgery on his elbow.

posted March 24, 2012 8:40 am edt