Joba Chamberlain felt well enough to throw a bullpen session today, 24 hours after being sent home with the flu.

“He was better than the day before,’’ said pitching coach Dave Eiland, who explained that Chamberlain is on schedule to pitch Friday against the Rays when the battle for the fifth starter intensifies. Phil Hughes will start.

“If he feels OK he will pitch,’’ Joe Girardi said of Chamberlain. “If he still feels run down we don’t want him going out there.’’

After being sent home in the morning Tuesday, Chamberlain said he slept until 5 p.m., ate soup and went back to bed at 10:30.