With Mariano Rivera likely out for the season with a torn ACL, there could be more of a need for Joba Chamberlain to return to the Yankees bullpen this season.

The reliever took a step closer to that return on Tuesday.

“Update on ankle…walking without a boot, just a basketball ankle brace,” Chamberlain tweeted this morning. “Playing catch n working out more n more. Thank u 4 all ur support.”

Chamberlain dislocated his right ankle in March jumping on a trampoline with his son and has vowed to return to the mound this season, though Yankees brass has maintained they will not rush him.

Chamberlain was placed in the walking boot in late April.