Yankee Notebook(by Daily News' Kristie Ackert)

Bruney still not pain free
New York-Right-handed Reliever Brian Bruney seems resigned to pitching with pain.
The Yankees' set-up man played catch yesterday for the first time since having tests to determine the cause of the lingering pain in his right elbow. Bruney said the pain was still there, but is coming to the conclusion that he may pitch with pain for the rest of his career.
"This is my 10th year in professional baseball, all of it coming out of the pen-maybe that is what I am now," Bruney said. "Maybe this is how it will be."
Bruney said he threw 35 to 45 pitches yesterday and every one was accompained by a short burst of pain. But he said he was avaliable to pitch tonight against the Rangers despite the discomfort.
"It's so quick, it's hard to describe it. It's hard to pinpoint where and what it is," he said. "It's frustrating."
After spending nearly a month on the disabled list with a strained elbow, Bruney pitched one inning Tuesday night against the Orioles. But after a day's rest, he continued to feel pain. But after a day's rest, he continued to feel pain. He went for an MRI Thrusday night and had an arthrogram-an MRI with dye injected into the elbow-the following morning. The tests showed no damage to the ligament, but also gave no indication of why he feels pain.
Bruney said his agent is sending the results of his MRI to different doctors hoping for new ideas, but he was not optimistic.
"There are guys who have pitched like that and been successful,"Bruney said. "It's about finding a program that makes it feel a little better."
After missing 85 games last season with a foot injury, Bruney has appeared in just 10 games this season.
RHP Joba Chamberlain, who left Thrusday night's game in the first inning after taking a line drive off his right knee, threw his regular bullpen session yesterday and said he will make his scheduled start tommorow.
Chien-Ming Wang, who was activated from the DL on Friday to help out a relief corps that was worn out by Chamberlain's early exit, will remain in the bullpen, according to Girardi. "Right now, he's just in our bullpen,"Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "He will be a backup to Joba if he cant make his start. Right now he's in the bullpen anf we're on rotation."
Catcher Jorge Posada(right hamstring strain), outfielder Xavier Nady(right elbow strain, infielder Cody Ransom(strained right quadriceps) and Catcher Jose Molina(strained left quadriceps) left after batting practice yesterday for the Yankees training complex in Tampa, Fla., to begin "intensifying," their rehabilitation programs, according to Girardi.
Girardi said it's possible Posada could return this week.
"We have to get him in some games and we have to get the hammy to 100 percent,"the manager said. "He shouldn't need too many games to catch. The end of the week, it's still possible, but it might be pushed back a little bit. We have to see how he does the next couple of days."
Thanks to the Star Ledger and Kristie for posting this information.
I would like to wish a Happy Memorial Day for all those soldiers, past and present, who have served our country.
Today we got a day game at Arlington Ballpark in Texas, between the Yanks and the Rangers.
Phil Hughes(2-2, 7.06 Era) will take the mound for the Yankees, while Matt Harrison(a lefty) will take the hill for the Rangers(4-3, 4.71 ERA). Lineups will be posted in a bit.