The drop in Joba Chamberlain's velocity can be traced back to an injury to his shoulder suffered in August 2008. "Since the injury in Texas, his stuff is different now," general manager Brian Cashman said. "We've seen over time that his stuff plays so much better as a reliever since he hurt his shoulder." On Aug. 4, 2008, Chamberlain came out in the fifth inning of a 9-5 loss at Texas with stiffness in his pitching shoulder. He was placed on the disabled list, returning for 10 September relief appearances before the season ended.