Betancourt is one of four pitchers competing for the final spot in the Rockies' bullpen, Nick Groke of the Denver Post reports. All three of Betancourt's challengers for the gig (Brooks Brown, Tommy Kahnle, and Jairo Diaz) are at least a decade younger than the 39-year-old right-hander, but all have minor league options remaining, which may work to the veteran's advantage. Betancourt is back to full health after 2013 Tommy John surgery, and appears to have regained sufficient velocity, routinely reaching the low 90s with his fastball this spring. While he won't be a candidate to reclaim the closer role he previously enjoyed during his time withe Rockies if he wins an Opening Day roster spot, Betancourt's longer track record of success in the big leagues might make him a more stable choice than the other competitors.

Betancourt re-signed with the Rockies on a minor league deal, Matt Eddy of Baseball America reports. The former Rockies closer returned from Tommy John surgery last season to post a 4.66 ERA and 1.86 WHIP in 22 appearances between rookie-level Grand Junction and Triple-A Colorado Springs. He'll presumably be invited to attend major league camp for spring training, but Betancourt will face an uphill battle to return to the late-inning mix.

Betancourt (elbow) has returned to action at Triple-A Colorado Springs, tossing scoreless innings in his first two appearances. After a 14-outing rehab assignment with rookie-level Grand Junction, Betancourt has entered the final stage of his comeback from Tommy John surgery last September. He's still in the process of building his arm back up, but Betancourt hasn't seemed to endure any setbacks or diminished effectiveness despite the missed action. Look for him to return to the Rockies at some point in September, where he could immediately be inserted into a high-leverage role in the team's hapless bullpen.

Rafael Betancourt (elbow) threw a 48-pitch bullpen session on Saturday. Betancourt is returning from Tommy John surgery last September. The expectation is that he'll continue his comeback with the Rockies' Rookie League affiliate in Grand Junction in late June. The former closer is hoping to return to the major leagues before the season is up.

Rafael Betancourt threw a second successful bullpen session at extended spring training on Friday. The veteran right-hander is on track to begin working with the Rockies rookie league team in June before progressing to higher levels of competition. He's hoping to join the Rockies bullpen before the end of the season.

Rockies signed RHP Rafael Betancourt to a minor league contract. Betancourt has been rehabbing from Tommy John surgery at the Rockies' spring training facility, as him eventually re-signing on a minor league deal was simply a formality. The veteran reliever will remain in extended spring training until June before beginning a rehab assignment with the team's rookie-level Grand Junction club. Betancourt is hoping to join the Rockies' bullpen before the end of the season

Rafael Betancourt (elbow) plans to be at the Rockies' extended spring training until June, at which point he will begin a rehab assignment with their rookie-level Grand Junction club. Betancourt is coming back from Tommy John surgery and is actually not even under contract with the Rockies, but the two sides appear to have a good-faith agreement. He had the operation last August but is hoping to join the bullpen before the end of the season. "It's weird being here on Opening Day, because I'd normally be playing," said Betancourt. "But I still feel part of the team, and the guys make me feel part of everything. So I'm happy to be here. It's fine."

Rafael Betancourt (elbow) will work out at the Rockies' spring training complex for the next 10 days. Betancourt remains a free agent, but the Rockies have given him permission to work out in their camp. The veteran reliever has professed a desire to pitch for the Rockies and no one else, so he seems likely to wind up back in Denver eventually provided that his rehab from Tommy John surgery goes well. Betancourt will throw 25 times from 90 feet on three occasions before expanding to 125 feet next week.

Chris Cotillo of MLBDailyDish.com reports that there is a "good chance" the Rockies will re-sign Rafael Betancourt. Betancourt has said that if he does pitch again it will be for the Rockies, but Cotillo says the two sides are "trying to figure out the timing with his rehab" from Tommy John surgery. The reliever went under the knife in late August but is hoping to contribute at some point during the upcoming season.

Rafael Betancourt (elbow) is expected to be cleared to begin throwing soon after an exam next week with Dr. James Andrews. Betancourt underwent Tommy John surgery in late August but it still hoping to contribute at some point during the upcoming season. The free agent received interest from the Dodgers this winter but is committed to making a comeback attempt with the Rockies. "If I pitch again, it will be with the Rockies. I can't see myself anywhere else at this point in my career. I have really enjoyed five years there," Betancourt said.