New York Yankees relief pitcher Joba Chamberlain has a torn elbow ligament and will likely undergo Tommy John surgery, taking him off the roster for a year.

New York was settling into a routine of using Chamberlain as the eighth-inning reliever, acting as a bridge between the starting pitcher (or middle relievers) and closer Mariano Rivera. Chamberlain earned 13 holds this season in 28 2/3 innings. Setup man Rafael Soriano went on the DL on May 14 due to an inflamed elbow ligament.

Girardi said he will look to David Robertson to be the late relief pitcher, with Luis Ayala and Boone Logan to pick up Robertson's middle innings. Robertson holds a 1.46 WHIP (walks plus hits per innings pitched) and a 1.16 ERA in 23 1/3 innings this season.

This is Chamberlain's second injury in his 3 1/2 years in the major leagues. On Aug. 4, 2008, the pitcher went on the 15-day disabled list with rotator cuff tendinitis.

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