Hector Noesi said that he is looking forward to pitching as a starter during spring training.

"Yeah, that's a good thing," said Noesi, who was acquired by the M's last month in the Jesus Montero-for-Michael Pineda swap. "Last year I was reliever. I felt it was easy because I'd work one inning, two innings, sometimes they used me three innings like a long reliever. So it's more easy. But I've always liked to start." Noesi, 25, posted a 4.47 ERA and 45/22 K/BB ratio across 56 1/3 innings in two starts and 28 relief appearances as a rookie with the Yankees last season. He could be a nice sleeper if he wins a rotation spot.

Mariners acquired RHP Hector Noesi and DH/C Jesus Montero from the Yankees for RHPs Michael Pineda and Jose Campos.

Noesi posted a 4.47 ERA and 45/22 K/BB in 56 1/3 innings over 28 relief appearances and two starts as a rookie with the Yankees last season. The 24-year-old right-hander throws in the low-90s and has shown elite command (1.7 BB/9) in the minor leagues. With Safeco Field as his new stomping grounds, he would have nice sleeper potential in AL-only leagues if he ends up in the starting rotation.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman thinks Hector Noesi "has the chance to be a good major league starter" and says the team likes Noesi "as much as we like (Ivan) Nova."

"Right now Noesi is competing for the fifth spot in the rotation,'' Cashman said. The Yanks GM adds the "right now" caveat, of course, because he's expected to target a premiere starter this offseason. If he deems the price too high, though, Noesi then becomes a real option for the back end of the rotation. He held a 4.47 ERA as a mop-up guy and occasional spot starter for the Yankees in 2011 while posting a 3.28 mark in six games -- five starts -- at Triple-A.

Hector Noesi is expected to compete for a spot in the Yankees' starting rotation next spring.

The Yankees used Noesi strictly in relief this year, but now think he was underused in that role. "It wasn't part of the plan to have him as a mopup guy or long man out of our bullpen this year," Yankees GM Brian Cashman said. "He needs to make up for lost innings." The 24-year-old righty posted a 4.47 ERA in 56-plus big league frames.

Yankees recalled RHP Hector Noesi from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Noesi posted a decent 3.42 ERA and 36/15 K/BB ratio in 47 1/3 innings with the big-league Bombers earlier this season. He'll return to a middle relief role.

Yankees optioned RHP Hector Noesi to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

He was sent down to make room for Monday's starter Freddy Garcia on the active roster. Noesi, 24, has a 3.42 ERA and 36/15 K/BB ratio over 47 1/3 innings with the big club this season and should rejoin the Yankees' bullpen in September.

The New York Post's Joel Sherman has "heard" that RHP Hector Noesi will be sent to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre upon Bartolo Colon's activation off the disabled list on Saturday.

Sherman reports the Yankees want to stretch him out to be a starter. In 21 2/3 innings over eight appearances out of New York's bullpen this season, Noesi has posted a 3.74 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 10/7 K/BB ratio.

Bryan Hoch of MLB.com writes that Hector Noesi "seems like the favorite" to start Thursday against the Rangers.

The Yankees need a replacement for Bartolo Colon, who was placed on the disabled list with a left hamstring injury over the weekend. Noesi is the most logical choice, but it's possible he could be needed out of the bullpen in the next couple of days. If that's the case, look for Adam Warren, D.J. Mitchell or David Phelps to get the assignment.

Yankees recalled RHP Hector Noesi from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Noesi is replacing Amaury Sanit on the roster, but he's likely to take Bartolo Colon's spot in the rotation Thursday against the Rangers. He's held a 1.76 ERA in four games with the Yankees this season and a 3.92 mark over four starts with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Yankees will recall RHP Hector Noesi from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

He will replace Amaury Sanit on the active roster and is expected to pitch out of the bullpen. If Bartolo Colon has to miss a start, David Phelps, Adam Warren, or D.J. Mitchell are the most likely candidates to take his place.

Yankees optioned RHP Hector Noesi to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

He was cleared to make room for the newly-claimed Jeff Marquez on the active roster. Noesi was probably going to be unavailable for the next few days anyway, as he threw 71 pitches in relief of Freddy Garcia on Tuesday night. He heads to the minors with a 1.76 ERA and 6/5 K/BB ratio over 15 1/3 innings.

Yankees optioned RHP Hector Noesi to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Noesi wasn't used after being called up by the Yankees last Wednesday. He's better off starting every five days in the minor leagues.

Yankees recalled RHP Hector Noesi from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

He'll take the place of the injured Luis Ayala on the active roster. Noesi, 24, was in the starting rotation at the Triple-A level, but will pitch in middle relief with the big club. He has a 3.17 ERA over parts of six seasons in the minors, averaging 8.8 K/9 and 1.6 BB/9.

Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes reports that the Yankees will call up right-hander Hector Noesi to replace the injured Luis Ayala on the active roster.

Known for his plus-command, Noesi posted a 3.20 ERA and walked just 28 batters over 160 1/3 innings between High-A Tampa, Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last season. The 24-year-old right-hander was ranked as the organization's No. 7 prospect by Baseball America over the winter.

Single-A Tampa's Hector Noesi struck out 13 while allowing just an unearned run over six innings on Thursday.

Noesi has been dominant in four of his five starts, but he allowed nine runs in the other, leaving him with a 3.27 ERA to go along with a 0.85 WHIP. He's struck out 32 and walked just two in 27 innings. Already 23 after missing a year due to Tommy John surgery and 50 games due to a steroids suspension, he should probably be in Double-A at the moment. The Yankees need to figure out whether he's a prospect or just someone who can strike out immature hitters with a good curveball.