Quote:
In Chamberlain’s case, there are strict ground rules. As Torre has explained many times, he must give Chamberlain a day off for every inning he pitches. This is also true on the front end. That is, Chamberlain can pitch two innings only if he has been rested for at least two days beforehand.
“That’s in stone,” Torre said the other day. “That’s basically to protect the future of the kid.”
After today’s game, Torre was asked again about the Chamberlain rules.
“It’s restricted, but it’s not a surprise,” Torre said. “You have to make plans accordingly, and when you get caught up in bringing him into a game when we have a big lead, I’d rather do without him than not pitch him for five days and not know what you’re going to get. It’s like Mo – you might bring Mo in when you have a 10-run lead or you’re 10 runs behind, but he needs a day to pitch.”
Torre said the Yankees still view Chamberlain as a starter for the long term. He is 21 years old and pitching in his fourth level in his first professional season. The rules, he reiterated, will not change.
“I’m really not of a mind to bend them, because I don’t disagree with them,” he said. “Knowing that the plans are right now that he’s not going to be a reliever, he’s going to be a starter, and the most important thing is his well-being. Whether that’s overly cautious, if that’s the way it is, that’s the way it is. When you know going in, it’s not a guessing game.”
but as I said why didnt they do as they seemingly "programmed" in Spring (send him down to AAA to start 2 or 3 games) & then start him with a reasonable pitch count....anyways circular argument since this is all History now ;)
