NewsBruney hurting; Joba to start Tuesday
Reliever dealing with right elbow pain; Wang to stay in 'pen
By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com
05/24/09 1:00 PM ET
NEW YORK -- Yankees reliever Brian Bruney came away from playing catch before Sunday's game with the same right elbow pain that has been plaguing him since his return from the disabled list.And with no signs of structural damage in both Thursday's MRI and Friday's arthogram, Bruney isn't sure what to make of his arm pain or status in the Yankees bullpen.
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"It just doesn't feel right," Bruney said following Sunday's 35- to 45-pitch session. "And it's not something that I've felt before."
While Bruney's initial injury -- a right flexor muscle strain in his elbow -- was quantifiable, doctors have been unable to diagnose any lingering problems in his elbow. What Bruney does know is the pain doesn't go away, but slightly lessens with each pitch.
"It shows up and when I'm done with the throw it doesn't bother me," he said. "So [the pain is] so quick it's hard to determine exactly where and what. It's frustrating. "
After tossing one inning following his reactivation Tuesday, Bruney reported arm pain to manager Joe Girardi before Thursday's game.
On Sunday, Girardi said the reliever "could be" a case for the DL, but hadn't seen Bruney throw and was waiting on a report from pitching coach Dave Eiland.
"[If] he's fine, he will available to use [Monday]," Girardi said. "And then after the game, you would see how he feels."
Bruney said he would probably get into Monday's game in Texas, regardless of whether his arm pain continues.
"There are guys who have pitched like that and been successful," Bruney said. "So it's about finding the right program that makes it feel a little bit better."
The news for Joba Chamberlain was markedly better, as the right-hander cruised through his typical bullpen session Sunday afternoon, and said he is a go for Tuesday's start in Texas.
Chamberlain had an abbreviated outing Thursday against the Orioles, suffering a bruised right knee courtesy of a sharp line drive in the top of the first inning. The immediate X-rays on Chamberlain's knee were negative, and the only change in his between-starts routine was one bullpen session instead of two.
With Chamberlain expected to pitch his scheduled turn, Girardi said Chien-Ming Wang will remain in the bullpen and throw Sunday.
"He's going to throw a little side today if he doesn't get into the game," Girardi said. "And he will be a backup to Joba possibly if he doesn't make his start."
Brittany Ghiroli is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
