Joba Chamberlain Staying in Bullpen Says Pitching Coach Dave Eiland

The Joba Rules are heading in a new direction for 2010.

The Star-Ledger is reporting that Joba Chamberlain will be sticking to bullpen duties for the 2010 season, according pitching coach Dave Eiland — although GM Brian Cashman would not rule out a return to the rotation in 2011.

“We will not bring him out of the bullpen to start this year,” Eiland told the Star-Ledger on Sunday morning. “There’s people above me that can override my decision, but as far as I’m concerned [the bullpen] where he’s going to be.

“We get more out of his ability as a reliever,” Eiland added. “We feel like he can be a good starter. We feel like he can be a great reliever.”

Chamberlain went 9-6 with a 4.75 ERA in 32 games (31 starts) in 2009 for the Yankees, who held the three-year veteran to a strict set of rules and guidelines designed to preserve his arm and overall health. 

In 43 career starts, the righty is 12-7 with a 4.18 ERA. In 50 career relief appearances totaling 60 innings pitched, Chamberlain owns a 3-2 record and a 1.50 ERA.

“He’s in the bullpen,” said Eiland, “and he’s there to stay, period.”