Joba returns, says he feels good, ready

SARASOTA, Fla. -- After an 11-day absence to deal with an oblique strain, Joba Chamberlain returned to the mound throwing heat and declared himself ready for the regular season.

"One-thousand percent," Chamberlain said yesterday. "I've probably never felt this ready as far as physically . . . and being able to rely on my fastball when I need to."

Chamberlain, whose fastball reached 95 mph, allowed a one-out, wind-aided home run to J.J. Hardy in the fourth, but had good movement and velocity on his pitches in his one inning. The righty struck out Mark Reynolds to start the inning, then got Brian Roberts looking at a 95-mph fastball to end the inning.

"It felt good to get back on the mound," Chamberlain said. "It wasn't anything I was worried about but it's always nice to get that first one under your belt after you go through little aches and pains. My delivery probably felt the best it has all year."

Montero feeling heat?

Jesus Montero hasn't been particularly impressive since Francisco Cervelli went down, an injury most thought all but handed the 21-year-old the backup catching job. Montero went 1-for-2, bringing his average to .222.

"I think it's only natural," Joe Girardi said, asked if Montero might be pressing. "The first time you have an opportunity to win a job in the big leagues, I think for the most part almost everyone's going to put some pressure on themselves. Very seldom do you see a guy not."

Mitre teetering

Sergio Mitre, after allowing five runs and five hits in three innings, didn't exactly get a vote of confidence from Girardi as being a lock to make the team.

"There's still decisions to be made there," Girardi said.

Mitre could be locked out of a spot if Freddy Garcia is named the fifth starter and Bartolo Colon is put in the bullpen, a move Colon said he wouldn't object to.

"It's never crossed my mind whether I'm making the team or not," Mitre said.

Extra bases

INF Eric Chavez said "the calf is fine," asked several times about the right calf spasms Girardi disclosed after Monday's game. Girardi said Chavez isn't likely to play until Friday . . . RHP Rafael Soriano appeared in a minor-league game against Blue Jays' Triple-A hitters, going 12/3 innings and allowing one hit, a solo home run . . . Mark Prior (1.35 ERA in 62/3 innings) pitched a scoreless fifth, striking out Nick Markakis and Matt Wieters, and getting Vladimir Guerrero to ground to short.