Report: Brewers sign reliever Joba Chamberlain

After reaching agreement with free-agent reliever Neftali Feliz on a one-year deal Thursday, Milwaukee Brewers general manager David Stearns said he would continue to monitor the relief market.

            According to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, the Brewers added another arm Friday with an agreement with free agent Joba Chamberlain. There was no announcement by the club, but the 40-man roster is full and any deal with Chamberlain almost certainly would be a minor-league contract with an invitation to major-league spring training.

            Chamberlain, 31, once was a hotshot prospect with the New York Yankees. He was their first-round draft pick in 2006 out of Nebraska and made it to the major leagues the next year, posting a 0.38 earned run average in 19 relief appearances.

            During a strong 2008 season (4-3, 2.60 ERA in 42 games), the Yankees converted Chamberlain to a starting role. He suffered a shoulder injury, beginning a series of health issues that have plagued his career.

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            The burly right-hander underwent Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery in 2011 and before the next season suffered a severe ankle injury in a trampoline accident. He appeared in 45 games (4.93 ERA) with the Yankees in 2012 but signed after that season with Detroit as a free agent and pitched 1½ seasons out of the Tigers’ bullpen.

            Chamberlain was released by Detroit at midseason in 2015 and signed a minor-league deal with Toronto but opted out three weeks later when he wasn’t promoted to the majors. He signed with Kansas City and appeared in six games (7.94 ERA) before signing before the 2016 season with Cleveland.

            He appeared in 20 games for the Indians last season, compiling a 2.25 ERA (but 11 walks in 20 innings), but was designated for assignment and released at midseason when he refused a minor-league assignment. He did not sign with another club.

            In 385 major-league appearances (43 starts), Chamberlain has a 25-21 record, 3.81 ERA and seven saves. Over 555 1/3 innings, he has allowed 540 hits and 226 walks with 546 strikeouts.