Joba around in clubhouse

Joba Chamberlain, last seen with the team Aug. 18-21 in Minneapolis, came into the clubhouse Friday and discovered his locker was occupied by rookie catcher Austin Romine. Romine's possessions were quickly moved to Sergio Mitre's empty locker across the room.

"I can do everything now," said Chamberlain, who had Tommy John surgery June 16. "I feel blessed and fortunate to be ahead of schedule."

Chamberlain -- currently living in Pensacola, Fla., where he sees his surgeon, James Andrews, once a week -- started playing catch 13 weeks after surgery and is throwing 30 pitches at 30 feet every other day. He believes he's a month to six weeks ahead of schedule and maintains hope, though it's a long shot, of being ready for spring training.