Free agent reliever Rafael Betancourt is at the winter meetings, ostensibly looking for a new contract. "Minor league deal with Rockies likely," remarks FOX Sports' Jon Morosi. Betancourt underwent Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery in August and will likely miss the entire 2014 campaign.

Rockies declined Rafael Betancourt's $4.25 million mutual option for the 2014 season. Betancourt underwent Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery in August and will miss the entire 2014 campaign, so the decision to decline his option wasn't a difficult one for the Rockies. Betancourt, 38, hasn't said whether he plans to attempt a comeback in 2015.

Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports that Rafael Betancourt indicated that if he underwent Tommy John surgery, he'd only be interested in returning to the Rockies. Betancourt made the decision Friday to go under the knife rather than attempting to heal the UCL through rest and rehab. He'll miss the entire 2014 campaign, and attempt to come back for the 2015 season.

Rafael Betancourt has decided to undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. Betancourt had planned to try rehab for a torn UCL and then possibly retire if that doesn't work, but he told a Venezuelan radio show Thursday that he's changed his mind. "I took the decision last night, alongside doctors," Betancourt said on the radio show Los Cronistas. "They told me there was little chance of recovery with current treatment." Betancourt will turn 39 next April but thinks he can pitch for "a few more years" if his rehab goes well. He won't be ready until 2015.

Rafael Betancourt (elbow) hinted that he would rather retire rather than have Tommy John surgery. Betancourt is dealing with a complete tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and will try platelet rich plasma treatment. If it doesn't work, the 38-year-old could walk away from the game. "They left it up to me whether to have surgery or not. I will see if this helps and allows me to throw again. If not.," said Betancourt.

Rafael Betancourt has been diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. The news comes as no surprise. Betancourt suffered the tear during Thursday's appearance and was placed on the disabled list the following day. The veteran reliever will be given a PRP injection before being re-evaluated, but Tommy John surgery is probably inevitable. His $4.25 million mutual option for 2014 won't be picked up, and given that he'll turn 39 just after Opening Day next year, it could be a career-ending injury.

Rockies placed RHP Rafael Betancourt on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow sprain. Betancourt suffered the elbow injury in Thursday's game and is scheduled to undergo an MRI to determine if there's any ligament damage. Rex Brother will take over as the Rockies' closer

Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports that "there is concern" that Rafael Betancourt tore his elbow ligament during an appearance Thursday. He'll undergo an MRI on Monday, but it sounds like Tommy John surgery could be in the veteran reliever's future. The Rockies will obviously decline their side of the $4.25 million mutual option for 2014 on Betancourt. He will turn 39 just after Opening Day next year, so it could potentially be a career-ending injury. Rex Brother will take over as the Rockies' closer.

Rafael Betancourt left Thursday's appearance against the Phillies with a right elbow injury. Betancourt blew his third save of the season by allowing two runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning before being pulled. The malady is expected to send the closer to the disabled list. Rex Brothers will take over the ninth inning again while Betancourt is on the shelf.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that Rockies closer Rafael Betancourt has been placed on waivers. Betancourt carries an inexpensive $4.25 million option for the 2014 season, so the Rockies probably aren't going to move him unless they get something in return. The veteran right-hander has posted a 3.54 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 27/11 K/BB ratio in 28 innings this year.