AL | Joba Chamberlain is poised to return to the bullpen

Joba Chamberlain will be back on the Yankees' active roster today, and back in their bullpen.

Chamberlain has not pitched for them since leaving an Aug. 4 start with right rotator cuff tendinitis. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, who is with the team on the road trip, and manager Joe Girardi both said they envision Chamberlain as a starter in the long run. The bullpen is a temporary landing place.

"We continue to look at him as a starter," Girardi said. "It's just that we don't have enough time."

Chamberlain said he feels "great" and called today "a big day." He said the time off may have been a good thing. "Actually, it probably helped me in the long run. I learned some things about how to make my shoulder stronger."

The injury will likely mean that Chamberlain has some innings restrictions next year, as well. He has pitched just 89 innings to this point. Still, Girardi said there are no plans for the right-hander to pitch in any fall league.

Right-hander Dan Giese will also be activated from the DL today.

Boston: 3B Mike Lowell, on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right oblique, took grounders and batting practice before the game and is close to returning. He hopes to be back this weekend. ... Boston manager Terry Francona said RF J.D. Drew, on the DL with a strained lower back, was expected to hit in an indoor cage.

Baltimore: The Orioles activated outfielder Adam Jones from the 15-day DL and recalled pitcher Garrett Olson. Jones, sidelined with a broken left foot since Aug. 3, paid immediate dividends to the club by homering off Paul Byrd on the first pitch he saw in the opening inning. It cleared the seats above the Green Monster.

Chicago: Reliever Scott Linebrink (shoulder inflammation) was activated from the 15-day DL. In addition, the White Sox recalled outfielder Jerry Owens and right-handers Mike MacDougal and Ehren Wasserman from Class AAA Charlotte. They also purchased the contract of catcher Paul Phillips on the first day teams were allowed to expand their rosters.

Cleveland: Former Mariner Ken Griffey Jr. was a late scratch from Chicago's lineup. Nick Swisher took his spot in center and in the No. 7 spot. ... DH Travis Hafner, sidelined since May with a shoulder injury, will not be called up from the minors today when the Indians expand their roster by seven. Hafner has been rehabbing at Class AAA Buffalo. 2B Josh Barfield is one of the players the Indians will bring up.

Los Angeles: With 53 saves in 58 chances this year, Francisco Rodriguez needs only four saves to match the major league single-season record set by Bobby Thigpen with the Chicago White Sox in 1990. And Rodriguez still has a month to do it. John Smoltz, who had 55 saves for Atlanta in 2002, and Eric Gagne, who equaled that for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2003, are 2-3 on the all-time list.

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