Rafael Soriano

Rafael Soriano tossed a perfect ninth inning, striking out one in Monday’s 8-5 win over the Orioles.

We thought David Robertson was available going into the game, but he’s evidently dealing with some ribcage soreness, which is why Soriano got the call. It remains to be seen if Robertson will need a DL stint, but Soriano should be scooped up just in case.

Rafael Soriano is unavailable for Friday night’s game against the Mariners.

Soriano has pitched each of the last three days and notched a save Thursday night against the Rays, so he’ll get the night off. David Robertson would get the ball in a potential save situation.

After David Robertson had worked the previous two days, Rafael Soriano picked up his first save of the season against the Rays on Thursday.

Soriano allowed an infield single to Elliot Johnson leading off the inning, who then stole second and came around to score after a pair of ground balls. Initially, manager Joe Giradi hinted that Robertson and Soriano could share save chances in the absence of Mariano Rivera. With Robertson’s recent blow up, and Soriano locking down this save, perhaps there will be more of a share than initially thought. If Soriano is still available in your league, he’s well worthy of a pickup until this situation is completely sorted out.

According to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, it “sounds like” both Rafael Soriano and David Robertson will be in the mix for save opportunities in the wake of Mariano Rivera’s season-ending knee injury.

Robertson is the heavy favorite to eventually take over as Rivera’s permanent replacement, but manager Joe Girardi has been loath to make a public declaration. Robertson has an overwhelming advantage over Soriano in both “stuff” and recent results, but the Yankees gave Soriano $35 million in January 2011 for the express purpose of stepping in if Rivera was ever unable to take the ball. More than likely, Robertson will be named Rivera’s permanent fill-in after the Yankees establish he’s capable of making the supposedly extremely difficult transition from the eighth to the ninth.

Rafael Soriano yielded two hits and a run in less than an inning of work Sunday against the Angels.

Soriano hadn’t pitched in four days because of a fingernail issue, and clearly had some issues with rust Sunday night on the Yankee Stadium mound. The right-handed setup man is sporting a 3.00 ERA on the young season.

Rafael Soriano returned to action on Sunday April 15.

Rafael Soriano was unavailable Tuesday because he tore the nail on his middle finger while warming up in the bullpen.

It turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the Yankees, as David Phelps stepped in and tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings in an extra-inning win over the Orioles. Yankees manager Joe Girardi isn’t sure whether Soriano will be available Wednesday night.