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.

Rafael Soriano did not opt out of his contract.

As expected. Soriano is due $25 million over the next two seasons, and wouldn't come close to that kind of salary in free agency this winter. The right-hander registered an underwhelming 4.12 ERA and 1.30 WHIP across 42 relief appearances this year for New York. He'll be a setup man again in 2012.

Rafael Soriano's agent Scott Boras told George A. King III of the New York Post that his client will not opt out of his contract with the Yankees.

"He adjusted to the [seventh- eighth-inning] role, liked being there with Mariano [Rivera] and he adjusted to New York City," said Boras. "The player is happy there." That may be true, but his decision likely has a lot more to do with the fact that he is coming off a down season and wouldn't come close to an $11 million salary in a crowded market for closers. He'll have the option to opt out of his contract again following the 2012 season, but with $14 million coming his way in 2013, it would shocking if he actually did so.

According to Andrew Marchand of ESPN New York, Rafael Soriano will not opt out of his contract with the Yankees.

Duh. While there's nothing official yet, there's no way Soriano will walk away from the two years and $25 million left on his contract, especially with the abundance of closer-types available this winter. He'll be back in a set-up role with the Bombers next season.

Rafael Soriano earned his second save of the season on Wednesday, helping the Yankees clinch the AL East title.

Mariano Rivera picked up his record 603rd career save in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader, prompting manager Joe Girardi to rest his closer in the second game. Soriano yielded one hit over a scoreless inning, giving him a 0.00 ERA in his last seven appearances.

Rafael Soriano took a blown save after giving up a game-tying run in the eighth inning Thursday against the Orioles.

Soriano was outstanding in his first six appearances back from the DL, allowing just one hit and no walks in six innings. However, in the 11 appearances since, he's given up six runs, 11 hits and five walks in 9 1/3 innings. He's not going to remain the Yankees' eighth-inning guy if this keeps up.

Rafael Soriano has retired 17 of the 18 batters he's faced since returning from the disabled list on July 29.

He's sporting a 0.00 ERA and 0.17 WHIP over six innings of work in that timespan. Soriano is still amongst the most overpaid players in baseball, but he'll be an asset for the Yankees down the stretch if he can get into a groove, particularly with Mariano Rivera going through a rare rough stretch.

Rafael Soriano has made four straight hitless appearances since his return from the disabled list.

The overpriced setup man missed over two months due to soreness in his right elbow, but he's rolling now and could play a major role for the Yankees down the stretch. Soriano has a 5/0 K/BB ratio over those four perfect relief appearances.

Yankees activated RHP Rafael Soriano from the 60-day disabled list.

Soriano hasn't pitched with the Yankees since May 13 due to right elbow soreness. The high-priced reliever was a complete disaster before going on the disabled list, posting a 5.40 ERA and 10/11 K/BB ratio over 15 innings. It's likely he'll have to earn his way back into a set-up role.

Rafael Soriano (elbow) is expected to be activated from the disabled list Friday.

Soriano traveled to New York on Tuesday after wrapping up his minor league rehab assignment with back-to-back appearances for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. With a scheduled off-day on Thursday, there was little reason to rush him back for Wednesday's game. Soriano has been on the disabled list since mid May with right elbow inflammation.

Rafael Soriano (elbow) tossed a scoreless inning Monday in his latest minor league rehab appearance with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Soriano struck out one and threw 11 out of 19 pitches for strikes. He has allowed four runs and struck out three over 4 1/3 innings during his minor league rehab assignment. The high-priced set-up man is scheduled to be reevaluated Tuesday and could rejoin the Yankees' bullpen as soon as Wednesday. Soriano had a 5.40 ERA and 10/11 K/BB ratio over 15 innings before hitting the DL with a sore right elbow in mid-May.

Rafael Soriano (elbow) allowed a homer Sunday in a one-inning rehab outing with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Soriano retired the other three batters he faced. The setup man is likely to pitch again on Monday night, marking his first back-to-back appearances since landing on the disabled list in mid-May. He's likely to be activated by the middle of this week.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi thinks Rafael Soriano (elbow) will "probably" be back with the club by next Wednesday or Thursday.

The Yankees are planning to have Soriano make back-to-back appearances for High-A Tampa on Monday and Sunday, with the hope being he comes out unscathed and ready to return. Whenever he finally does come back, he'll be rejoining a 5.40 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 10/11 K/BB ratio compiled over 15 innings of work.

Rafael Soriano (elbow) allowed one run on two hits during a rehab inning Thursday for High-A Tampa.

Soriano didn't record a strikeout, but he also didn't walk a single batter, needing only 16 pitches to get through the frame. He's expected to make a couple more rehab appearances before joining up with the Yankees by the middle of next week.

Rafael Soriano (elbow) gave up two runs over 1 1/3 innings Tuesday night in his first minor league rehab appearance with High-A Tampa.

Soriano breezed through a scoreless first inning, but gave up a home run, a single and a sacrifice bunt to open the second. He struck out one and walked none before being pulled. Barring any setbacks, he should rejoin the Yankees bullpen next week, though it's expected that he will be eased back into a late-inning role. The high-price reliever has been sidelined since mid-May with right elbow soreness.

Rafael Soriano (elbow) completed a successful bullpen session Saturday and has been cleared to begin a rehab assignment with High-A Tampa.

It's possible he could pitch for Tampa on Tuesday and Wednesday before being activated from the DL, but the Yankees might decide he needs more time than that. Soriano has been on the shelf since mid-May with his elbow problems.

If Rafael Soriano (elbow) makes it through his Saturday bullpen session unscathed, he'll likely be sent to pitch in a minor-league game on Tuesday.

The Yankees would like Soriano to prove he can go on back-to-back days before activating him, though manager Joe Girardi admitted "need" may dictate he comes back before that. If tomorrow goes well, he could be back with the Bombers by next weekend.

Rafael Soriano (elbow) will throw a batting session Saturday, and if it goes well, he'll be sent out on a rehab assignment.

Soriano's first two BP sessions went well. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he'll wait until the right-hander is healthy before considering which role he'll fill when he rejoins the big club. "Let's get him healthy and throwing the ball the way he is supposed to," Girardi said. "We will make a determination about what is next [after tomorrow's workout]. Let's get to the first [rehab] game and we will have a better idea."

Rafael Soriano (elbow) threw 25 pitches in batting practice Wednesday.

It was his second batting practice session since landing on the disabled list with right elbow inflammation in mid-May. Assuming no setbacks, he could be sent out on a minor league rehab assignment in the next few days.