Yankees Looking to Add Betancourt?

From Troy Renck:

Rafael Betancourt is attracting varying degrees of interest from the Orioles, Yankees and Athletics. The Red Sox had interest earlier this month. The White Sox and Angels are also looking for bullpen help...

Betancourt is under contract next year [$4.25MM] with a mutual option [$4.25MM] for 2014. To move him, the Rockies would require a valuable piece in return.

Betancourt has a 3.00 ERA, 9.3 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 for the Rockies this season, while converting 17 of 21 save opportunities. If the price is right, he'd definitely be a nice addition and with Joba coming back the two of them could be a huge boost to this team down the stretch.

Yanks Acquire Chad Qualls

To make room for Quallls on the 40-man roster the Yankees have designated Matt Antonelli for assignment.

The 33-year-old was 1-1 with a 4.60 ERA in 35 games for the Phillies this season. In 31.1 innings, the right-hander allowed 16 ER on 39 hits, walked 9, and struck out 19.

D-Rob Set To Return on Friday

From Wallace Matthews:

Fresh off his second rehab appearance on Tuesday in Rochester, David Robertson is scheduled to rejoin the Yankees today in Atlanta, although he will not be activated until Friday's game against the Nationals in Washington.

"He's fine,'' Joe Girardi said. "We just want to make sure he feels OK, and if he is, we'll activate him on Friday.''

Great news for a team that seems to be hitting their stride. Matthews reiterated taht Soriano will remain in the closers role while Robertson will take over setup duties and for a team with the best record in the AL, I'd say that's the right move.

Soriano Expected to Remain Closer After D-Rob Returns

From Jon Heyman:

The Yankees intend to keep Rafael Soriano as the closer even after David Robertson's return from the disabled list, people familiar with their thinking suggest.

Soriano has been brilliant as the Yankees' third choice to close and is six for six in saves with an overall ERA of 1.96 now. Robertson, the Yankees' shutdown set-up man, would resume his set-up duties upon his return, which is expected to be in about two weeks. Robertson has a strained left oblique muscle.

Robertson has been brilliant for the Yankees as their eighth-inning guy, but one scout said, "He didn't look quite as comfortable closing games.'' Robertson was the initial closing choice after Mariano Rivera was lost with a freak knee injury.

I am 100% in favor of this decision. Closing is all about comfort level and Robertson was not comfortable in that role. On the other hand, Soriano has done it before, and as he's already shown, he can handle the job.

Boone Logan Having Some Back Problems

According to those who've watched spring training this year, Clay Rapada looks like he'll be the main lefty out of the pen as the season begins.

Yanks Sign David Aardsma

From Bryan Hoch:

The Yankees have signed reliever David Aardsma to a Major League contract.

Aardsma is coming back from Tommy John surgery performed last July 22. Aardsma is making approximately $500,000 this year with a club option for 2013.

“The move could help us in 2012, but it has a lot more eyes toward 2013,” Yankees GM Brian Cashman said.

According to the article, Aardsma is about a month behind Joba in his recovery.