Betancourt was released by the Rockies on Thursday.

Designated for assignment over the weekend, the 40-year-old Betancourt went unclaimed and can now sign with any team. Although he has a 6.18 ERA, his 40:12 K:BB ratio over 39.1 innings should lead to some interest.

Pitcher Rafael Betancourt was released by the Colorado Rockies on Thursday.

Pitcher Rafael Betancourt was released by the Colorado Rockies on Thursday. Betancourt went unclaimed on waivers after being designated for assignment over the weekend, and at 40 years of age his major league career could be at an end.

Betancourt was designated for assignment Sunday by the Rockies, MLB.com's Thomas Harding reports.

Betancourt was a great story in spring training after he returned from Tommy John surgery to make the Opening Day roster in his age-40 season, but the right-hander has struggled to maintain effectiveness. Though he's supplied a quality 40:12 K:BB ratio over 39.1 innings during the campaign, untimely hits have bloated his ERA to 6.18. Even at his old age, Betancourt could still entice a number of teams as a back-end reliever.

Betancourt will continue to work in middle relief, with Tommy Kahnle named to the closer role Saturday, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

A three-run blowup against Seattle earlier in the week pushed Betancourt's ERA back above 5.00 and cemented his role in the middle innings. Betancourt has eight holds on the season, but his last one came all the way back on July 9.

Betancourt recorded just one out and was tagged for three runs on two hits and a walk in Tuesday's loss to the Mariners.

After John Axford was removed from the closer's role last Friday, manager Walt Weiss suggested that Betancourt might be one of the preferred options to assume ninth-inning duties, but that scenario has yet to play out. In the last six games, the Rockies have either been on the losing end or have held a lead of more than three runs entering the ninth inning, preventing fantasy players from getting a grasp on the closer situation. It's interesting to note, however, that Betancourt has made three appearances since Axford was dropped from the role, with all coming in the eighth inning or earlier. Meanwhile, Tommy Kahnle was used in the ninth inning of the Rockies' lone win during that stretch, a 6-2 victory over the Cardinals this past Saturday. While it won't be known for certain until the next save opportunity comes about, Kahnle appears to be the likelier bet to close for the Rockies than Betancourt.

Betancourt was mentioned as an option to close for Colorado with John Axford removed from the ninth-inning role, the Denver Post reports.

Manager Walt Weiss didn't name Axford's replacement, but mentioned Betancourt, Tommy Kahnle and Justin Miller as candidates. Betancourt has experience in the role, having saved 57 games for Colorado from 2012-13, and he's been a lot better lately (one earned run in his last 10 appearances) after struggling early on.

Betancourt struck out three batters in his 1.1 innings of relief duty during Thursday's victory over the Braves.

A two-hour, six-minute rain delay in the bottom of the first ended starter Kyle Kendrick's night earlier, forcing the bullpen to assume a heavy burden in the 5-3 win. Betancourt was quite integral to the success, working around two singles to keep the Braves off the board. The veteran reliever has given up two runs over 4.2 innings since returning from the disabled list in late June.

Betancourt (illness) was activated from the 15-day DL on Friday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Vertigo symptoms pushed Betancourt to the disabled list earlier this month, but he will be back in the bullpen Friday after missing just a little over the minimum 15 days required by his DL stint. Betancourt was seeing some high-leverage work before hitting the shelf (six holds, one save), but the Rockies may opt to deploy him in the middle innings initially upon his return.

Betancourt (illness) is expected to be ready for Friday's game against the Giants, the Denver Post reports.

Betancourt hasn't appeared in a rehab game since Sunday, but he has apparently made a full recovery. Despite owning a 20:3 K:BB ratio through 20 innings, he has an unsightly 6.30 ERA, as he allowed seven runs over his final two appearances before landing on the disabled list. He only has six holds and one save in 23 games.

Colorado Rockies pitcher Rafael Betancourt is expected to be available for Friday's game against the San Francisco Giants after recovering from an illness, according to the Denver Post.

Colorado Rockies pitcher Rafael Betancourt is expected to be available for Friday's game against the San Francisco Giants after recovering from an illness, according to the Denver Post. Betancourt has not appeared since June 6 after suffering from vertigo symptoms, but he is reportedly feeling better and could rejoin the bullpen Friday.

Betancourt (illness) could be activated from the DL after he completes a side session Wednesday, MLB.com's Thomas Harding reports.

Betancourt previously made a rehab appearance at Triple-A Albuquerque over the weekend, giving up two runs over 1.1 innings. Since he's only been on the disabled list since June 8 after battling vertigo symptoms, Betancourt can likely manage just fine without further rehab outings in the minors.

Betancourt (illness) will pitch in a rehab game Sunday with Triple-A Albuquerque, Nick Groke of The Denver Post reports.

Betancourt dealt with vertigo symptoms for much of the last two weeks, but he has recovered to the point where he can resume pitching. It remains to be seen how many rehab games he will need before returning to the Rockies.

Betancourt (vertigo symptoms) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, the Associated Press reports.

Betancourt, who was placed on the DL on June 8, seems to be making progress in his recovery from the condition, but is still facing an indefinite timetable for his return. He was enjoying a productive season before getting clobbered in his final few appearances prior to landing on the DL, which has inflated his ERA to 6.30 despite his tidy 20:3 K:BB ratio.

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Rafael Betancourt threw a bullpen session Tuesday as he continues to recover from vertigo symptoms, according to ESPN.com.

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Rafael Betancourt threw a bullpen session Tuesday as he continues to recover from vertigo symptoms, according to ESPN.com. Betancourt is currently without a recovery timetable after being placed on the disabled list June 8, but he seemingly has a chance to return when he is first eligible on June 23 if he continues to progress.

Betancourt was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday due to vertigo symptoms, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

It was initially undisclosed as to what exactly landed Betancourt on the disabled list. Betancourt stated in a Denver Post report that "[he] has been feeling sick and weak while I've had this sinus problem," and added that he hasn't been feeling well for three weeks. He claims that his arm is not the issue, so Betancourt should be able to return to the club once his illness clears up.

Betancourt was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday, Partick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

It's unclear what ailment will send Betancourt to the DL, but he was rocked in his last outing Saturday, allowing three runs on five hits. The outing hinted that something was up, and now he will rest for a while, and the Rockies will use his roster spot for Monday's starter, David Hale.

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Rafael Betancourt was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday due to vertigo symptoms, according to MLB.com.

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Rafael Betancourt was placed on the 15-day disabled list Monday due to vertigo symptoms, according to MLB.com. Betancourt has been ill for a couple of weeks, though he has stated that the issue is unrelated to his arm. "I have just been feeling sick and weak while I've had this sinus problem," Betancourt said Monday. "I just haven't felt good for about three weeks, ever since we played Philadelphia here. It was just everything adding up. I was just frustrated by how I've been feeling and how I have been pitching. I feel like I have a responsibility to this team, and I wasn't living up to it. The way I was pitching the last few games, I told myself, 'I can't keep doing that.'" Betancourt will be sidelined until at least June 22 as he recovers.

Betancourt was blitzed for three runs on five hits while working the ninth inning of Saturday's 10-5 win over the Marlins.

Though the blowup wasn't a big deal with the Rockies entering the last inning with an eight-run lead, Betancourt's disastrous back-to-back performances could make manager Walt Weiss reluctant to use the reliever in high-leverage situations for at least a little while. Betancourt has given up seven runs over his last 1.2 innings, inflating his season ERA from 3.44 to 6.30.

Betancourt took the loss and was charged with a blown save in Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Dodgers after serving up a go-ahead grand slam to Alex Guerrero in the top of the ninth inning.

Betancourt had been unavailable the previous two days after battling a sinus infection, but the Rockies felt comfortable enough with his condition to use him in both games of the doubleheader. He was only needed to record one out in the eighth inning of the early game, but with John Axford needing 22 pitches for the ninth-inning save, Betancourt took over closer duties for Game 2. Staked to an 8-5 lead, Betancourt quickly loaded the bases on a trio of singles, and after fighting back to notch two outs while stranding the baserunners, he watched as Alex Guerrero barely deposited a fastball over the center field wall to give the Dodgers the lead. It's surely a tough loss for Betancourt, but he's still locked in as one of manager Walt Weiss' most trusted late-inning relievers.

Betancourt battled flu-like symptoms during his appearance in Saturday's win over the Phillies, the Associated Press reports. He gave up a solo homer and walked a batter before manager Walt Weiss pulled him from the game.

The Rockies will likely try to stay away from Betancourt on Sunday in order to afford him more recovery time, but the illness doesn't look like something that will keep him unavailable for long. The 40-year-old has been one for the Rockies' most effective relievers this season, posting a 3.50 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and 19:3 K:BB ratio over 18 innings.