"The Yankees had to turn to Joba Chamberlain to pitch the eighth inning last night because Rafael Soriano could not pitch due to a sore right elbow.

Soriano saw Dr. Christopher Ahmad before the game with the Royals, and is expected to go for an MRI exam on the elbow today at Soriano's request.

"I want to make sure everything is fine," the $35 million reliever said.

Soriano said the elbow began bothering him last week after he threw back-to-back days against the Blue Jays.

"I talked to the pitching coach that day in Detroit and said, 'Can you give me the day today?' " Soriano said. "He said, 'That's fine.' "

Soriano pitched Friday and Sunday in Texas, and said the elbow began bothering him again yesterday. He played catch before the game but did not feel he could pitch."