Joba Chamberlain struck out four of the six batters he faced in a relief appearance Sunday.

Chamberlain was in danger of being demoted near the end of August, but he has looked much better recently. "Joba's last three outings, he's taken a step in the right direction," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi.

According to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News, the Yankees are considering demoting Joba Chamberlain.

Chamberlain has really struggled since returning from Tommy John surgery and a right ankle dislocation, posting a 9.35 ERA and 4/4 K/BB ratio over 6 2/3 innings. The Yankees need to make a move to activate CC Sabathia (elbow) from the disabled list, so sending Chamberlain down to the minors for 10 days might not be the worst idea. He would return when rosters expand in September.

Making his 2012 debut, Joba Chamberlain allowed two runs and four hits in 1 2/3 innings out of the pen Wednesday against the Orioles.

Chamberlain gave up a homer to the first batter he faced, J.J. Hardy, in his first appearance since coming off the disabled list Tuesday. He was able to escape the seventh despite allowing two more hits, but he gave up a second run in the eighth on a walk and a double.

Yankees activated RHP Joba Chamberlain from the 60-day disabled list.

Chamberliain will return to the Yankees' bullpen on Tuesday night after missing nearly 14 months because of Tommy John elbow surgery and a severe ankle dislocation. The 26-year-old right-hander is likely going to be eased back into high-leverage situations but could be a dangerous relief option down the stretch.

Joba Chamberlain (elbow, ankle) said he was clocked between 94 and 100 mph in his latest rehab appearance.

Chamberlain threw a bullpen session Friday without any issues and is scheduled to move his rehab assignment Sunday to Double-A Trenton. He'll make at least one more appearance, and possibly more, before returning to the Yankees' bullpen in early August.

Joba Chamberlain (elbow, ankle) will move his minor league rehab assignment to Double-A Trenton on Sunday.

Chamberlain was scheduled to throw a bullpen session Friday for the Yankees' coaching staff, so it apparently went swimmingly. The 26-year-old right-hander had a 1.13 ERA and 7/1 K/BB ratio over eight innings in six rehab appearances between the Gulf Coast League Yankees and High-A Tampa. He's likely only days away from joining the Bombers' bullpen.

Joba Chamberlain (elbow, ankle) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Friday in front of the Yankees' coaching staff.

Chamberlain has a 1.13 ERA and 7/1 K/BB ratio over eight innings in his first six rehab appearances between the Gulf Coast League Yankees and High-A Tampa. If all goes well Friday, he will likely continue his rehab stint with Double-A Trenton on Sunday. He appears on track to join the Yankees' bullpen in early August.

Joba Chamberlain (elbow, ankle) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Monday.

The Yankees' current plan calls for Chamberlain to throw a bullpen Monday before being cleared to pitch in back-to-back games on his rehab assignment. If he makes it through that exercise with no issues, its possible he could come off the disabled list before the end of July.

Joba Chamberlain (elbow, ankle) started and pitched two innings in a rehab assignment with High-A Tampa on Friday, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits.

He also walked one and struck out one in the outing. He's looked very strong through his first four rehab appearances, consistently sitting in the high 90's with his fastball. At this rate, he's likely to return to the Yankees bullpen in early August.

Joba Chamberlain (elbow, ankle) will move up to High-A Tampa Friday to continue his rehab assignment.

Chamberlain looked terrific in three appearances for the Gulf Coast League Yankees, tossing three hitless innings while allowing an unearned run and striking out six. His fastball averaged 95-96 mph and topped out at 98 mph in his most recent appearance Tuesday. Chamberlain's rehab clock will run out on August 8, but he likely won't need that much time.

Joba Chamberlain (elbow, ankle) struck out two in a perfect inning of work Tuesday in his third rehab appearance with the GCL Yankees.

Chamberlain has now struck out six over four scoreless innings during his rehab stint and has yet to allow a hit or a walk. He'll likely move up to Class A Charleston or High-A Tampa for his next appearance. Barring any setbacks, he should rejoin the Yankees' bullpen in early August.

Joba Chamberlain (elbow, ankle) is slated to pitch two innings Saturday in his next minor league rehab appearance in the Gulf Coast League.

Chamberlain struck out two while topping out at 97 mph on Tuesday in his first rehab appearance. The 26-year-old right-hander is currently on track to rejoin the Yankees' bullpen in early August.

Joba Chamberlain (elbow, ankle) allowed one unearned run in one inning Tuesday in his first rehab appearance for the Gulf Coast League Yankees.

Joba Chamberlain (elbow, ankle) could begin a minor league rehab assignment as soon as Tuesday.

Chamberlain threw live batting practice earlier this week and was scheduled to pitch in a simulated game Friday. He'll likely begin his rehab stint with the organization's Gulf Coast League affiliate before facing more advanced competition. It appeared to be a longshot not too long ago, but the 26-year-old right-hander could rejoin the Yankees' bullpen by late July or early August.

Joba Chamberlain (elbow, ankle) threw live batting practice on Monday morning in Tampa, Florida.

Chamberlain will advance to simulated action on Friday and could begin a minor league rehab assignment in about two weeks. He is currently on track to return to the Yankees' bullpen in late July or early August.

Joba Chamberlain was involved in a minor traffic accident Thursday in Tampa (FL).

According to Newsday, Chamberlain's vehicle was struck from behind as he was traveling to the Yankees' minor league complex, but he was not injured. The 26-year-old right-hander is scheduled to throw live batting practice Monday for the first time since the open dislocation of his right ankle. He has vowed to pitch again this season.

Joba Chamberlain (ankle) is hoping to rejoin the Yankees bullpen shortly after the All-Star break.

Joba has been running and recently began throwing from a mound with only tape on his surgically-repaired ankle rather than a brace. "No soreness, no setbacks," Chamberlain said. The right-hander's season looked to be in doubt when he suffered the nasty injury during a trampoline accident back in March, but now it appears that he could be an integral part of the bullpen in the second half.

Joba Chamberlain (ankle) said on his Twitter account that he will throw a bullpen session Friday.

Chamberlain threw off a half-height mound as recently as Saturday, but he's now ready to make the next step. The 26-year-old right-hander is 11 weeks removed from suffering an open dislocation of his right ankle. He can't afford any setbacks, with his ankle or his surgically-repaired elbow, but it's safe to say he is progressing ahead of schedule.

Joba Chamberlain (ankle) threw off a modified pitcher's mound Saturday at extended spring training.

It was just a light throwing session, but it's notable progress from the reliever. Chamberlain is no safe bet to return to the Yankees this season, but manager Joe Girardi thinks he will. "I've always said, I believe that he'll be back," Girardi said. "Now I'm no doctor, no rehab therapist, but just knowing Joba, I believe he's going to be back for us this year."

Joba Chamberlain (ankle) is no longer wearing a walking boot.

The update was provided via his personal Twitter account. Chamberlain, who dislocated his right ankle in March, now only needs a basketball ankle brace to get around. He's also ramping up his workload throwing and working out, which is significant since he's still less than a year removed from Tommy John surgery. There's a chance he could rejoin the Yankees' bullpen late this season if all goes well.