TAMPA, Fla. – Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner expects hard-throwing Joba Chamberlain to pitch again this season. Whether it's as a starter or out of the bullpen will be determined.

“I don't know yet,” Steinbrenner said Friday night at the Yankees' spring training complex. “It's up to (manager Joe) Girardi and (pitching coach Dave) Eiland, how they want to do it. They know what they're doing, and the doctors obviously know.”

Chamberlain has been on the 15-day disabled list since Aug. 6 due to rotator cuff tendinitis in his pitching shoulder. He is scheduled for his first bullpen session this weekend since leaving his start on Aug. 4 against Texas with shoulder stiffness.

“Whatever is best, not just for now but for his future, is what we'll do,” Steinbrenner said. “We'll just have to see.”

The 22-year old Chamberlain was moved from the bullpen to the rotation earlier this season. He is 4-3 with a 2.63 ERA in 32 games, including 12 starts.

His injury was another blow to New York's depleted pitching staff. The team is also without No. 1 starter Chien-Ming Wang and right-hander Phil Hughes.

Steinbrenner will be at the Yankees' three-game home series with Boston that begins Tuesday night. His brother Hal, a team co-chairman, is also expected to be at Yankee Stadium for the matchup with the Red Sox.