The Tigers are not expected to pursue free agent Rafael Soriano.

With the departure of Jose Valverde the Tigers lack an established closer, but there's been no indication that they're interested in Soriano. For now, it appears Bruce Rondon is the favorite in-house candidate to replace Valverde. ESPN's Buster Olney reported Friday that rival executives expect Scott Boras to engage the Tigers on Soriano at some point this offseason.

Rafael Soriano declined a one-year, $13.3 million qualifying offer from the Yankees.

Soriano continues to talk to the Yankees and is open to returning next season, but it's unlikely he'll settle for a set-up gig in front of Mariano Rivera if he can find a multi-year deal elsewhere as a closer. Now that Soriano has declined the qualifying offer, the Yankees will receive a draft pick if he signs with another club.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that Rafael Soriano and the Yankees are "continuing to talk," and the reliever "is believed to prefer" staying in New York.

Soriano has rejected the Yanks' qualifying offer, as he wants a new multi-year contract. Mariano Rivera will return as the team's closer next season, but Soriano can offer insurance for him before taking back the role in 2014, assuming Mo retires. Soriano posted a 2.26 ERA while recording 42 saves in 2012.

According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, Rafael Soriano will decline the Yankees' qualifying offer.

That's been the expectation all along. Soriano opted out of the final year of his deal with the Yankees and is expected to seek a multi-year pact in free agency. The Yanks haven't ruled out bringing him back, but Soriano wants to close and can't do that in New York with Mariano Rivera returning.

The Yankees have made a one-year, $13.3 million qualifying offer to impending free agent Rafael Soriano.

No surprise here. Soriano exercised the opt-out clause in his contract with the Yankees earlier this week, taking a $1.5 million buyout rather than his $14 million option for 2013. He's expected to decline the qualifying offer and look for a multi-year deal in free agency.

Rafael Soriano has exercised the opt-out clause in his contract with the Yankees.

As expected. Soriano's option is worth $14 million, but he'll take a $1.5 million buyout and test the open market. The Yankees are expected to make him a qualifying offer ($13.3 million) to secure draft pick compensation if he signs elsewhere. He's reportedly on the lookout for a four-year deal after posting a 2.26 ERA, 42 saves and 69/24 K/BB ratio this season while filling in for Mariano Rivera.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that Rafael Soriano is expected to opt out of his contract with the Yankees on Wednesday.

The New York Post confirms Rafael Soriano is expected to opt-out of his contract with the Yankees.

Soriano has a $14 million option in 2013, with a $1.5 million buyout. The Yankees will likely make a qualifying offer for draft pick compensation, but have yet to show interest in a multi-year extension. Soriano posted a 2.26 ERA, 42 saves and a 69/24 K/BB ratio while filling in for Mariano Rivera. He turns 33 this offseason.

According to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, Rafael Soriano might exercise his opt-out clause this winter.

Soriano is set to make a whopping $14 million in 2013, but he'd be a free agent after that and may be able to lure a multi-year offer out of the Yankees if he threatens to walk this offseason. The right-hander has bounced back in a big way this summer, boasting a 2.17 ERA, a 60/17 K/BB ratio and 37 saves through 58 innings of relief.

Rafael Soriano doesn't expect to miss any time after being hit by a comebacker in Sunday's game with the Indians.

"It feels good," Soriano said, "going to wait until tomorrow and see." For now, consider Soriano day-to-day. The Yankees will update his status Monday.

Rafael Soriano returned to action on Tuesday June 12.

Rafael Soriano was unavailable Monday because of a blister on his right index finger.

Soriano told the Yankees he could pitch Monday after playing catch and throwing in the bullpen, but manager Joe Girardi decided to give him a day off for precautionary reasons. He should be OK to pitch Tuesday, if needed.

Rafael Soriano blew his first save of the season in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Mets at home.

Tasked with protecting a 4-3 lead, Soriano allowed back-to-back doubles to lead off the ninth, the second of which plated the tying run. He was then pulled for Boone Logan after allowing a one-out single. Certainly not his best outing, but GM Brian Cashman has said he'll reamin the Yankees closer even after David Robertson comes off the disabled list, while Soriano's fate may have been different today if not for a misplay by Curtis Granderson. He's still a strong own at stopper.

Rafael Soriano allowed a pair of baserunners in the ninth inning Saturday against the Mets but was able to pick up his ninth save of the 2012 season.

Soriano improves to a perfect 9-for-9 in save chances, further cementing himself in the ninth-inning role as David Robertson (oblique) nears activation. The 32-year-old Soriano is capable of producing at a top-tier rate as a fantasy closer given his raw ability and the talent surrounding him on the Yankees' 25-man roster.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Yankees intend to keep Rafael Soriano as their closer even after David Robertson (oblique) returns from the disabled list.

Heyman cites "people familiar with their thinking." Robertson isn't due back for at least another two weeks, so it's possible Soriano could have a blowup or two and the plans will change. But, he's been lights-out thus far, converting all five save chances without allowing a run since Robertson's injury. Heyman notes that Robertson is "still seen as the closer of the future."

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.