The Shrinking List of Left-Handed Bullpen Options

From George A. King III:

To the surprise of no one, the Yankees don't expect Pedro Feliciano or Damaso Marte to contribute at any point.

The lefty relievers, who have been on the DL since the start of the season, are working out in Tampa, but Girardi didn't paint a positive picture.

....

Feliciano has increased workouts in Tampa, but has a lot of work left before he can be considered able to return.

"Until you necessarily see him throw bullpen [sessions] at nearly 100 percent and possibly throwing batting practice sessions, you just hope you get to that point," Girardi said. "Until he can do that, I am not sure what we'll get."

Marte, who contributed to the 2009 World Series title and then appeared in 30 games last year, is running out of time.

"The days are ticking away," Girardi said. "I don't know if we will see him. I am hopeful that we do, but I can't tell you that we will."

Lefty reliever J.C. Romero asked for his release from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and was granted it. The Yankees have some interest in lefty reliever Arthur Rhodes -- who recently was released by the Rangers -- but only at the minor league level.

...

If the Yankees are serious about bringing top pitching prospect Manuel Banuelos to the majors as a lefty specialist out of the bullpen, expect to see him do that for Triple-A, where he is currently working as a starter.

"If you were going to make him a second lefty per se, you would have him do it down there [at Triple-A] before you would have him do it here," Girardi said. "He would have to adapt to coming into the middle of an inning and starting an inning. When you are starting, you have your routine -- 20 to 25 minutes. As a bullpen guy you can't necessarily do that."

I still think giving J.C. Romero a shot before he asked for his release would have been a good idea. I don't really like the idea of bringing in Rhodes. I've seen him give up too many big hits to lefties throughout the years to have any real faith in him. But a minor league deal can't hurt I guess.

The idea of bringing up Banuelos is the most intriguing, and as long as it doesn't hurt or hold back his development as a starter I'd be all for it.