(Sports Network) - Well it only took Hank Steinbrenner a little over three weeks to try and interject himself into the on-the-field activities of the New York Yankees. Steinbrenner, in an interview with the New York Times, stated that reliever Joba Chamberlain should be moved into the rotation immediately, further saying that you would be an idiot to leave someone that throws that hard in the bullpen in a setup role.

General manager Brian Cashman, whose contract ends at the end of this season, quickly responded, saying that there are no plans to move Chamberlain into the rotation at this time and Steinbrenner knew the plan all along. By all accounts, though, the team intends to move Chamberlain into the rotation at some point in the second half.

Of course, Steinbrenner's tirade comes on the heels of a terrible stretch by New York's starters, specifically youngsters Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, as well as 39-year-old Mike Mussina.

The young guns have struggled for the Yanks, going a combined 0-5, while allowing 31 runs in 30 1/3 innings. Mussina, meanwhile, has dropped three of his four starts this season and is pitching to a 5.75 ERA.

Kennedy seems to have the shortest leash of the three right now, but it certainly won't be Chamberlain who replaces him. For now anyway. My guess is that Kei Igawa gets another shot before the Yankees start to make overtures for a guy like free agent right-hander Freddy Garcia, who is getting close to returning.

Steinbrenner is not alone in his thinking that Chamberlain should move into the rotation. A lot of fans have filled the airwaves saying the same thing. Why have a talent like that for just three or four outs when you can have him for 20 or more?

I have a question for those who think that, though. Who exactly is going to take the place of Chamberlain in the eighth inning, where the 22-year-old right-hander has been absolutely lights-out since joining the club last August.

Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera have become the best 1-2 punch at the end of games in the league. This season the duo have combined to give up just a run and nine hits in 13 1/3 innings of work and that run was allowed on Sunday by Chamberlain with the Yankees already ahead 7-0.

It's all fine and good to say you want Chamberlain in the rotation, but let me hear you say it that when Kyle Farnsworth and LaTroy Hawkins are the ones blowing leads for you in the seventh and eighth innings.

A-ROD UPDATE

Alex Rodriguez became the latest Yankee to hit the injury report, as he had to leave Sunday's win over Baltimore with a quadriceps injury similar to the one suffered by shortstop Derek Jeter a few weeks ago.

Rodriguez, though, did not need an MRI, but did meet with a physical therapist in New York on Monday. He is expected to join the team in Chicago on Tuesday for the start of their three-game series with the White Sox, but his availability for that set is uncertain.

The league's reigning MVP is off to a solid start through 20 games, hitting .308 with four home runs, 10 RBI and 12 runs scored.



WHO'S HOT

Jeter has been on a tear since returning from the quad injury, hitting in all seven games he has played and going 12-for-31 with 10 RBI in that span, while raising his average over 100 points.



WHO'S NOT

The Yankees should really think about leaving second baseman Robinson Cano in Tampa next year until the weather gets better up in New York. For the second straight season Cano is off to a horrendous start, hitting just .169 on the year.



LOOK AHEAD

The Yankees continue their 10-game road trip in Chicago this week and will play a three-game set with the White Sox before heading to Cleveland for four games.

Chien-Ming Wang (3-1, 3.81) will face former Yankee Jose Contreras (1-1, 4.34) in the opener, before Mussina and Hughes try to get back on the right track in the final two games of the series.

















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