Betancourt was blitzed for three runs on five hits while working the ninth inning of Saturday's 10-5 win over the Marlins. Though the blowup wasn't a big deal with the Rockies entering the last inning with an eight-run lead, Betancourt's disastrous back-to-back performances could make manager Walt Weiss reluctant to use the reliever in high-leverage situations for at least a little while. Betancourt has given up seven runs over his last 1.2 innings, inflating his season ERA from 3.44 to 6.30.

Betancourt took the loss and was charged with a blown save in Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Dodgers after serving up a go-ahead grand slam to Alex Guerrero in the top of the ninth inning. Betancourt had been unavailable the previous two days after battling a sinus infection, but the Rockies felt comfortable enough with his condition to use him in both games of the doubleheader. He was only needed to record one out in the eighth inning of the early game, but with John Axford needing 22 pitches for the ninth-inning save, Betancourt took over closer duties for Game 2. Staked to an 8-5 lead, Betancourt quickly loaded the bases on a trio of singles, and after fighting back to notch two outs while stranding the baserunners, he watched as Alex Guerrero barely deposited a fastball over the center field wall to give the Dodgers the lead. It's surely a tough loss for Betancourt, but he's still locked in as one of manager Walt Weiss' most trusted late-inning relievers.

Betancourt battled flu-like symptoms during his appearance in Saturday's win over the Phillies, the Associated Press reports. He gave up a solo homer and walked a batter before manager Walt Weiss pulled him from the game. The Rockies will likely try to stay away from Betancourt on Sunday in order to afford him more recovery time, but the illness doesn't look like something that will keep him unavailable for long. The 40-year-old has been one for the Rockies' most effective relievers this season, posting a 3.50 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and 19:3 K:BB ratio over 18 innings.

Betancourt retired all four batters he faced in Monday's win over the Reds. He picked up his second win of the season when Nolan Arenado hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth. Betancourt has been better than the Rockies ever could have envisioned this season after having not pitched in the big leagues since August 2013 following Tommy John surgery. The 40-year-old's average fastball velocity is actually up slightly from 2013, and he's contributed a 19:2 K:BB ratio, 3.12 ERA, and 0.75 WHIP over 17.1 innings. John Axford hasn't yet given manager Walt Weiss reason for pulling him from the closer's role, but Betancourt would seem to be next in line for those duties should an opening arise.

Betancourt allowed an unearned run Monday night while pitching the eighth inning against Arizona. John Axford tossed a scoreless ninth to convert the save. Adam Ottavino is on the 15-day DL with triceps inflammation, leaving Betancourt as the primary setup man for Axford at the present time. If Axford scuffles, Betancourt is the most likely candidate to usurp him for save chance in Colorado while Ottavino is on the shelf. Betancourt has posted an 11:1 K:BB over 9.2 innings for the Rockies this season.

Betancourt allowed a run on a hit and walk while pitching the eighth inning of Tuesday's win over the Giants. Adam Ottavino struck out the side in the ninth to record the save. Rockies manager Walt Weiss named Ottavino as the team's closer prior to Tuesday's game, which effectively bumps Betancourt back into a setup role after he recorded the save Monday night when Ottavino was unavailable after pitching on consecutive days. LaTroy Hawkins tossed a scoreless sixth inning in the winning effort.

Betancourt threw a perfect ninth inning Monday, striking out two Giants in the process to get the save. After the game, Rockies manager Walt Weiss said that he wasn't ready to name a full-time closer. "I'm not ready to declare a closer," Weiss said. "We have multiple pieces that have pitched late in games in this league and closed games in this league. It's a nice problem to have." Betancourt will be among those considered by Weiss, as will Adam Ottavino and maybe John Axford once Axford returns from his family medical leave.

Betancourt will close for the Rockies on Monday if a save situation arises, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports. Betancourt closed for the Rockies back in 2012, collecting 31 saves, so the experience factor is certainly there. Manager Walt Weiss did say that the regular closer, LaTroy Hawkins," is merely receiving "a break" from closing, so this move doesn't necessarily represent the team's long-term intentions. If Betancourt performs well, however, he could make it difficult for Weiss to turn back to the 42-year-old.

Betancourt's (jaw) contract was purchased by the Rockies on Wednesday, MLB.com's Thomas Harding reports. Betancourt, who was brought on as a non-roster invite, has allowed just one earned run over 8.2 spring innings, striking out 10 total batters over that span. If this success continues during the season's opening weeks, the right-hander could gradually work his way into higher-leverage situations. He's currently dealing with a minor jaw injury, but that clearly hasn't affected his status with the team to begin 2015.

Betancourt left Thursday's spring training with a contusion on the right side of his jaw, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports. A contusion is the least of the worries possible, as he didn't display any signs of a concussion. He should be fine barring something more in the next few days as he continues to battle for a spot in the Rockies' bullpen.