Joba Chamberlain released from hospital after surgery

TAMPA, Fla. -- Joba Chamberlain was released from the hospital late Sunday morning, less than three days after suffering a horrific ankle injury.

"It's good to see him out and doing well," Joe Girardi said after the Yankees and Tigers played to a 1-1 tie in 10 innings. "I'm optimistic he's going to pitch for us this year."

Leaving the hospital was a positive sign, but Chamberlain still is a long way from pitching. He suffered an open dislocation of his right ankle Thursday afternoon while jumping on a trampoline with his son, Karter, 5, at an indoor amusement park in the area.

When a photographer asked how he was doing, Chamberlain -- who had surgery at St. Joseph's Hospital soon after arriving there by ambulance -- said, "Good."

Experts have said the injury could be career-threatening, but Chamberlain told general manager Brian Cashman on Friday that doctors told him throwing again by July is a possibility.

The GM's more immediate concern is that Chamberlain appears to be in the clear in terms of some of the worst-case post-accident scenarios, such as infection of the wound. An open dislocation occurs when the bone pushes through the skin.

"So far, he's been in great hands and he's been getting everything necessary," Cashman said. "Things are going as good as can be expected, as I understand it, which is obviously terrific. Hopefully, it continues that way. So far, everything looks great, from what I've been told."

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Cashman said Chamberlain, who will be in a cast for the next six weeks, isn't completely clear of risk of infection. "I think there is risk, but as every day goes by, it's reduced," he said. "I also think that's why they'll continue to monitor it, clean the wound, all those things."

Cashman said after Chamberlain is officially "out of the woods" on the more serious potential issues, "we can start to worry about baseball stuff."

The Yankees are well aware of some of the more somber assessments of Chamberlain's injury by experts, but Cashman said he has been a quick healer. In the latest example, he was far ahead of schedule in his recovery from June 16 Tommy John surgery.

"Obviously, he's been dealing with a lot, but he's a healer," Cashman said. "He gets hurt, but his healing process is really significant. So we're counting on that in this case, too. That's why my heart, my gut tells me he's going to be OK. And I hope I'm right on that. But I can rely on the history that he's had a lot of stuff take place and he resolves it. He heals a lot quicker. Hopefully, that will be the case here."

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When Cashman visited Chamberlain on Friday afternoon, he described his mood as "frustrated" and "sad" but also resolute.

"He knows what the road ahead is and he's not afraid of it," Cashman said. "His attitude -- I hate to speak for him -- is what do I have to do to get back? He knows there's a lot of people who care about him.

"He's received a lot of concern and well-wishes and prayers,'' Cashman said, "and I know for that he's thankful. He said tell everybody thank you. That stuff helps. It does."