By MIKE PUMA

Days after a return form the disabled list, Brian Bruney again has concerns about his pitching elbow.

The right-hander underwent an MRI exam Thursday night and had additional testing today after experiencing lingering soreness in the elbow. He was unavailable for tonight’s game against the Phillies and said it could be at least a few more days before he is cleared to pitch. Bruney said the MRI exam revealed no problems, but he is awaiting the results of an arthorgram, a procedure in which dye is injected into the affected area.

“It’s frustrating,” Bruney said. “I had tears in my eyes when I told Joe [Girardi] I had to get an MRI.”

Bruney was activated from the disabled list Tuesday and pitched a perfect eighth inning against the Orioles, but has dealt with soreness since then.

“It’s kind of bothered me a little bit all year,” Bruney said. “I’m not really quite sure exactly what’s the issue.

“I tried to toughen up and pitch through it and be there for the guys on the team, but it shouldn’t be every day.”

Bruney is hopeful anti-inflammatory medication will help alleviate the soreness. He wasn’t allowed to take such medicine during his time on the disabled list as a precaution.