Yankees said split over Chamberlain's role

TAMPA, Fla., March 28 (UPI) -- Joba Chamberlain's role on the New York Yankees' pitching staff is the subject of internal debate, comments by team executives suggest.

Contradicting assertions by General Manager Brian Cashman that it still hadn't been decided whether Chamberlain would move forward as a starter or reliever, comments this weekend by Yankees Director of Professional Scouting Billy Eppler seemed to indicate otherwise, The New York Times reported Sunday.

Eppler, speaking Saturday to WFAN-AM, New York, said he "wouldn't consider it likely" that the Yankees hurler would compete for a starting spot in 2011.

Chamberlain's status has been the subject of running arguments for four years among fans and within the organization, the newspaper said.

Chamberlain told the Times he hadn't heard of any decision being made. Cashman said: "We haven't had any team meeting and said, he's going to be in this role for the rest of his life. That hasn't been discussed."