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Hank: I want Joba to start!

Despite Hank Steinbrenner's demands that Joba Chamberlain, left, be added to the Yankees' rotation, general manager Brian Cashman says Chamberlain is staying in the bullpen. (Newsday / David L. Pokress)

NEWSDAY STAFF

April 21, 2008

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Hammerin' Hank Steinbrenner is at it again. He says it's time for Joba Chamberlain to join the starting rotation.

With only two-fifths of the rotation pitching well - Phil Hughes (0-3), Ian Kennedy (0-2) and Mike Mussina (1-3) are struggling - Steinbrenner has seen enough. New rules for Joba! And now!

In a story posted on The New York Times' Web site last night, Steinbrenner said: "I want him as a starter and so does everyone else, including him, and that is what we are working toward and we need him there now ... You don't have a guy with a 100-mile-per-hour fastball and keep him as a setup guy. ... You have to be an idiot to do that ... The mistake was already made last year switching him to the bullpen out of panic or whatever. I had no say in it last year and I wouldn't have allowed it ... The starting rotation is not what I would have chosen at the beginning of the year, but that is not a big news flash to anyone."

Chamberlain, who missed five games to be with his ailing father in Nebraska, has pitched only 6 1/3 innings this season as the setup man.