Heyman: "Joba is out of yanks rotation derby"

From Jon Heyman:

Joba is out of yanks rotation derby. RT @JackCurryYES: No Joba-Hughes showdown Mon. Hughes will face Phils. Joba will work intrasquad game

I guess this means they're going with Hughes. I can't say I'm surprised based on both pitcher's performances this spring, but I think this might create another problem with Hughes and whatever rules the Yankees set for him.

And if this is indeed true, what does it mean for Joba's future? Does this mean Joba is a reliever for good?

Joba himself seems to have future closer in his mind. Check out this exchange he had with Mariano Rivera recently via Pat Borzi:

Rivera, even at 40, remains the most feared closer in baseball. Chamberlain was waiting by the door of the clubhouse to be taken to an autograph session when Rivera walked by. Chamberlain, already in a chatty mood, suddenly fancied himself as Rivera?s successor and started bugging Rivera about retiring.

?You?ve got to pass the torch, four-two,? Chamberlain said, using common baseball parlance for someone?s uniform number.

By then, Rivera was nearing his locker on the far side of the clubhouse. He turned to Chamberlain, smiled and said paternally, ?Your time will come.?

Chamberlain answered back, ?You might be 50! I might be done by then.? Rivera, ignoring the last part, responded, ?Then it?ll still come,? with an equally big smile. That did not make Chamberlain feel any better. ?He might pitch until he?s 106,? he said.

While we shouldn't make too much out of a few random clubhouse comments, this does sound like Joba wants to close one day.

If this is what the Yankees want and this is what Joba wants then it's fine by me. I just think it makes the Joba Rules and all the nonsense they've put this kid through look a little pointless.

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