Joba Has Rotator Cuff Tendinitis

The Yankees are saying that Joba Chamberlain has “rotator cuff tendinitis.”

Treatment may just be a matter of rest and anti-inflammatory medication. Or, perhaps, it may require some arthroscopic surgery. That latter suggestion is mine – and not something coming from the Yankees now.

Then again, sometimes “rotator cuff tendinitis” is very bad news. Mark Fidrych had it when he was 22-years old – and never was the same. Former Brewer Jeff D’Amico had it when he was 25-years old – and coming off a super season as a 24-year old – and it ruined his career. Kris Benson had it when he was 28-years old – and it was all downhill for him from there. Mark Prior had it when he was 25-years old and that was the end for him – although he was injury-prone before that. And, I believe that Hideo Nomo had it, albeit as a 35-year old, and he was then cooked.

With this type of thing, you just don’t know…sometimes…

Buster Olney said it best, four years ago -

Tendinitis: Like inflammation, it says something and says nothing. Tendinitis is a symptom, rather than the source of the problem; it’s like saying a player has a runny nose, rather than addressing why he has a runny nose. “You say a player has tendinitis and what might really be going on is that he has loose cartilage in his knee,” said one executive. “You say a pitcher has tendinitis, and it might be that he’s got a serious tear. When you get right down to it, tendinitis could cover any number of things.”

And, when it comes to Joba, you now have to wonder what is “the source of the problem” – and hope that it’s not something serious.

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