Brian Bruney out for the year, complicates Joba situation

The feud between the Yankees hierarchy as to the role of Joba Chamberlain might have just taken care of itself. The only other setup man that manager Joe Girardi has confidence in, Brian Bruney, is reportedly out for the season after tearing a ligament in his right foot covering first base on Thursday night in Chicago.

If Chamberlain did make a move to the starting rotation sometime during this season, Bruney most likely would have been the guy to assume the eighth inning set up role. We are sure that as much as Hank and the boys might want Joba in the starting rotation, they would rather sit tight for the year with him in the role he is currently holding down than even think about moving Kyle Farnsworth or LaTroy Hawkins into that pressure spot.

This injury has to be disappointing for Bruney who came into this season looking completely different physically, shedding 25 pounds in the offseason. He had been pitching well this season thus far, and had emerged as an extremely important cog in the Yankees bullpen.

Bruney out for the season (MVN)