Joba Chamberlain is ready to be a starter or reliever for the New York Yankees.
Chamberlain threw batting practice in Tampa, Fla., for the first time this spring and said he's not worried about where he fits on the Yankees' pitching staff.
The 22-year-old right-hander, 2-0 with a 0.38 ERA in 19 relief appearances as a rookie last year, will likely begin this season in the bullpen before joining the rotation.
"Everything in life is uncertain," he said. "It doesn't matter to me. Just to be thought of in both aspects I think is an honor."
Even senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner took time to watch Chamberlain throw 27 pitches, taking in the session from his fourth-floor office.
"It's always fun watching Joba," Steinbrenner said.
Chamberlain's arm has already impressed new Yankees manager Joe Girardi.
"It's just explosive stuff," Girardi said. "Just a good, old-fashioned, power arm."
Justin Morneau, however, knows exactly what his role is with Minnesota.
The 2006 AL MVP will be counted on for more than home runs and RBIs now that Torii Hunter, Johan Santana and Carlos Silva are gone. The Twins have a gaping hole atop the clubhouse hierarchy, and Morneau has the credentials to fill it after agreeing to an $80 million, six-year contract extension in January.
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