Will Joba Finish the Year in the Bullpen?

Joba Chamberlain was expected to resume throwing today for the first time since going on the disabled list earlier this month. Assuming all goes well, there's at least a chance he'll return to the field within a week -- he's officially eligible to come off the disabled list on Wednesday -- but it wouldn't be a surprise if the Yankees give him a little extra time just to be on the safe side.

This team may or may not have already conceded making the playoffs, but there's a still a benefit to having Joba return this year instead of simply shutting it down for the season, including not having to worry all winter long whether his shoulder is sound. His official diagnosis was simply tendinitis, but considering the team was concerned enough about his health that they sought a second opinion from famed orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Edwards, it makes you wonder if the team at least suspected structural damage.

But assuming he does return, where will he pitch? According to George King III of the New York Post, the Yanks are thinking about putting him back in the bullpen in an effort to reduce the stress on his shoulder. It might be a good idea in theory, but sometimes working as a reliever is actually more stressful, especially if he's asked to warm up several times before entering the game or has to enter the game in the middle of an inning. (Brad Lidge knows what I'm talking about.)

If the long-term goal is still for Chamberlain to remain in the rotation, I think there's more to gain by letting him continue in that role this year. Shoulder injuries are a tricky thing and it's almost impossible to pinpoint what causes them, but it's possible that Joba brought them upon himself by not learning to take a little off his pitches so as to pace himself to work several innings in a row. If that's the problem, it's something only experience as a starter will help him get past.