Via Bryan Hoch:

For at least one day, the Yankees are putting Joba Chamberlain back in the bullpen.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that the club has reconsidered its stance and plans to take a look at Chamberlain for one inning of relief in Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Rays, in what could be an audition for a playoff roster spot.

“I think it can give you a better idea of what you’re going to get,” Girardi said. “Will it be necessarily what you’re going to get during a series? It may not tell you that. But I think it will give you a better idea.”

“It’s not something new, so I have a plan on what I’m going to do to get ready, because I’ve done it before,” Chamberlain said. “That’s the advantage that I have. It’s just coming to the ballpark and having the idea that you’re probably going to pitch in the game.”

His recent track record has made it a near-lock that the Yankees will select the longer ALDS schedule, providing an off-day that will keep Chamberlain from needing to start. Girardi said that Chamberlain could be used as either a long reliever or for a shorter burst in the playoffs.

“We might use him for a couple of hitters tomorrow just to see how he reacts,” Girardi said. “He feels good right now. We’ll see how he feels tomorrow. He’s in that mix and that’s something that we’re going to take a look at.”

Girardi said that he would be paying attention to how quickly Chamberlain warms up, as well as the results of the short stint and his approach on the mound.

“Everything that you would want to know if we were going to bring him in for an inning, what he would do,” Girardi said.

My first reaction when I heard this news? A clear flashback to this game. And, that was followed by a flashback to this game.