NEW YORK (AP) — Rafael Soriano is back in the New York Yankees’ bullpen after 212 months on the disabled list.
The right-hander had been sidelined since May 14 with inflammation in his right elbow. He was activated from the 60-day DL on Friday before the Yankees opened a four-game series against Baltimore.
New York manager Joe Girardi says he will ease Soriano into action at first rather than thrust him right back into the pressure of an eighth-inning role. Following injuries to Soriano and Joba Chamberlain, All-Star righty David Robertson has become Mariano Rivera’s primary setup man, emerging as one of baseball’s most effective relievers this season.
To open a roster spot for Soriano, the Yankees optioned left-hander Steve Garrison to Double-A Trenton.
