When Joba Chamberlain walked into Dr. Christopher Ahmad's office Thursday and saw the doctor's head down, he knew something was wrong.

His elbow felt tight, but not painful, so he expected this MRI to reveal little damage.

He certainly didn't expect the stunning news he heard: the medial collateral ligament in his pitching elbow was torn, that he would likely need Tommy John ligament-replacement surgery, and that his season was over.

As Chamberlain listened, he couldn't hold back tears. "I was in shock when I heard the news," Chamberlain said. "I was just trying to get out of there as soon as I could before I broke down. It's pretty easy to break down in that situation."

The Yankees are sending Chamberlain's MRI results to Dr. James Andrews in Alabama for further analysis, but the ligament is definitely torn, and barring a miracle, Chamberlain is done for the year, with a best-case return of next spring.

A very tough break for a guy who's been under the microscope and jerked around since his initial call-up to the bigs. We at NoMaas wish him all the best and hope his recovery goes swiftly. Best of luck, Joba.

Rafael Soriano's MRI didn't show any additional damage to his right elbow, but the Yankees took the cautious approach with their $35 million reliever, placing him on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday.

Soriano said Monday night that he wasn't upset to have missed the last two games against the Red Sox or the two-game series against the first-place Rays, as the Yankees had not been in position to hand him the ball with a lead in the eighth inning over the course of their six-game losing streak.

"I don't think the bullpen is the problem right now," Soriano said. "I think it's the hitters."

Tuesday, Girardi didn't seem pleased to hear what Soriano had said. "My thought is, we win as a team and we lose as a team," the manager said. "Everyone on this club can always do a little bit more. That's the bottom line. You can take that for what it's worth."

Soriano earns a Hold.

Soriano came in today and said his elbow was "a little bit tender" according to Girardi. Precautionary MRI tomorrow

Keep in mind, Soriano has an extensive history of elbow injuries, having Tommy John surgery in 2004 and ulnar nerve surgery in 2008.

Pedro Feliciano, still suffering from soreness in a muscle behind his left shoulder, will not pick up a baseball for the next 10 days in the hope that rest will cure what so far, the Yankees have been unable to.

"It's not healing as quick as we would like,'' said Joe Girardi, who said that realistically, Feliciano will not pitch for a minimum of three weeks and probably longer.

Monday's inclement weather has put a wrinkle into Curtis Granderson's plans as the outfielder tries to mend a strained right oblique and avoid a trip to the disabled list.

Heavy rains forced Granderson to work out indoors and swing in the batting cages at George M. Steinbrenner Field, though he still anticipates he will be ready to play in the Yankees' first series -- if not on Opening Day.

The Yankees plan to have Granderson play in a Minor League game on Tuesday and another one on Wednesday, weather permitting. He would then fly to New York and join the team in time for Thursday's game against the Tigers.

Hopefully, Granderson's recovery goes better than, you know...this one.

Will Jorge need a public option in 2010?