Yankees reliever Joba Chamberlain had Tommy John surgery last year, and then during spring training, he suffered a freak ankle injury while on a trampoline with his son, just as he was beginning the rehab program for the elbow injury.

Following this so far? The ankle injury was so severe that Joba was to stay off of any “weight-bearing activity” for three months; that period wouldn’t end until the end of this month.

Now, though, he appears to be ahead of that schedule:

Chamberlain threw off a modified pitcher’s mound Saturday at the team’s complex in Tampa, Fla., a sign that he is at least progressing in his attempt to overcome the freak accident that injured his ankle and delayed his rehab for Tommy John surgery.

That went well enough that Joba himself tweeted this Thursday morning:

Update for everyone!Bullpen tomorrow, 1 step closer!!Thank u for all the support!!

— Joba Chamberlain (@Joba_62) June 7, 2012

Presumably, if that goes well, pitching in simulated games or a rehab assignment might be close. It might not be beyond the realm of possibility that Joba could be back in a Yankees uniform after the All-Star break.

For more on Joba and the Yankees, please visit Pinstripe Alley and SB Nation New York.