Brian Cashman hasn't always been thrilled to dig too deeply into the topic of Joba Chamberlain's role as starter or reliever, and the Yankees' general manager was even less eager to discuss the team's role in disciplining Chamberlain for his recent DUI arrest in Nebraska.
"I wouldn't say other than the fact that I did talk to him," Cashman told reporters. "The sensitivity of some of this stuff, I wouldn't even get into. Not because of him, but for any of our employees. There's a proper protocol. ... He made a mistake. He apologized for it. Thank goodness no one was hurt." Chamberlain was arrested on Oct. 18 on suspicion of driving under the influence after Lincoln, Neb., police pulled him over for allegedly speeding.
The 23-year-old right-hander is obviously a huge part of the Yankees' future, as he's the most valued arm in the organization and one of the most talented young pitchers in the game. But while the usual party line from a club is to say the young star learned from his mistake, Cashman was candid about his inability to make such a declaration, though he hoped the pitcher would.
"I can't say I'm confident about anything," Cashman said. "I wouldn't represent what goes on in other people's lives. He knows we care a great deal about him. He knows he's got all the support from us that we can provide because we do care about him."
Chamberlain has apologized and vowed to learn from his mistake. As Cashman said, all anyone around the Yankees can do is hope he's smart enough to do just that.
