Brian

Bruney

Manager Bob Melvin didn’t seem too upset, although it helped that the D-Backs held on for the win. ''We’ve been on (Bruney) a bit to stay away from his fastball all the time and to mix up his pitches,’' Melvin said, ''but with two outs and nobody on, you have to go after guys.’' While this outing didn’t do anything to instill confidence in the young reliever, he still has potential to be a decent closer or set-up man.

Bruney gave up six of the Reds’ 17 earned runs tonight, raising his ERA to 7.60. He’ll be back next month, but the Diamondbacks aren’t very happy with him right now.

''He’s got some pitches he can throw when he’s ahead that he can make outs with and actually make them look foolish,’' Melvin said. ''But he had a tough time throwing breaking balls for strikes, especially in some off-counts, and he got a lot more predictable. He’s got good stuff. He’s going to pitch in the big leagues again.’' He won’t have value again this year though, and you should have already cut the cord.

Bruney wasn’t going to be available for a couple of days after throwing 17 pitches Thursday and 56 on Friday. He pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings over the two days, though he allowed both runners he inherited last night to score. He struck out six and walked four.

Bruney gets to be recalled after just three days because Mike Mussina went on the disabled list. He’ll work mostly when the Yankees are behind in games.

Bruney had struck out 22 and walked eight in 14 1/3 innings since joining Columbus last month. The stuff has always been there for him to become an excellent reliever, but we’re surprised the Yankees summoned someone with so little command given that they have the Red Sox up this weekend. It doesn’t really matter, since Bruney will likely only take on mop-up duties.

Bruney’s command problems have apparently frustrated the Diamondbacks for the last time. Even though he’s hurt right now, he shouldn’t be able to clear waivers. He has too good of an arm.

Bruney has moved past Octavio Dotel in the depth chart and has impressed manager Joe Torre with his no-nonsense approach.

Bruney was released by the White Sox in August after posting an ugly 6.86 ERA and 16/12 K/BB ratio in 19 2/3 innings last season. But he’s back on board with a minor league deal and will serve as relief depth in 2012.

It’s largely a procedural move, as Bruney underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left hip and is done for the season. The White Sox added Jose Lopez and Hector Gimenez to the active roster in related moves.