Chamberlain leaves Yanks

Chamberlain leaves Yankees to be with ailing father
Associated Press
NEW YORK -- Yankees reliever Joba Chamberlain left the team after his father collapsed at his home in Lincoln, Neb., the New York Daily News reported on its Web site.

Harlan Chamberlain was hospitalized Monday at St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center in Lincoln. Hospital spokeswoman Jo Miller said the family requested that no further information be released. The Daily News said he was in critical condition, according to a nursing supervisor.

Joba Chamberlain's sister called the Yankees during the eighth inning of New York's 8-5 loss at Boston on Sunday night. The newspaper said the reliever spoke with his sister after the game and broke into tears, and manager Joe Girardi tried to console him.

Chamberlain, the Yankees' primary setup man, planned to return to Nebraska rather than accompany the Yankees to St. Petersburg, Fla., for a series against Tampa Bay starting Monday night.

Harlan Chamberlain raised Joba as a single dad. He attended New York's season opener earlier this month, and was at last week's series in Kansas City.