Indians sign P Joba Chamberlain to minor league deal

The Cleveland Indians have signed pitcher Joba Chamberlain to a minor league deal.

The Cleveland Indians have signed pitcher Joba Chamberlain to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training, the team announced Tuesday.

Chamberlain made his big league debut in 2007 for the New York Yankees, where he pitched out of the bullpen and became a fan favorite. He famously followed the “Joba Rules,” which allowed the Yankees to limit his innings and appearances to preserve his arm. He spent seven years in New York before playing for the Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals.

Throughout his career, he compiled 528 strikeouts in 535.1 innings with a 3.87 ERA.

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We apologize sincerely, @Joba_44, about the bugs. They won't be back, we promise.

— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) December 1, 2015

During the 2007 ALDS against the Indians, Chamberlain was swarmed by a group of small insects while he was pitching. He went on to throw two wild pitches, giving up the tying run in a game the Indians would eventually win. Upon signing Chamberlain, the Indians tweeted an apology, saying the bugs “won't be back, we promise.”

The Yankees would not be without comment:

@Indians @Joba_44 Oh, NOW you take care of the bugs …

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) December 1, 2015

- Jeremy Layton