New York Yankees' General Manager Brian Cashman's reluctance to sign reliever Rafael Soriano this winter appears to have been right on, as Mariano Rivera's main set-up man will be out for an additional six to eight weeks with an inflamed ligament in his right arm, according to ESPN.com.
The right-hander, who signed a three-year, $35 million contract with the Yankees this past winter, last pitched on May 13 against the Red Sox. He was placed on the disabled list five days later due to stiffness and soreness in his pitching elbow.
After meeting with the pitcher on Wednesday morning, Dr. James Andrews ordered two additional weeks of rest for Soriano, followed by a throwing program.
"He obviously has a real issue," Cashman said on Wednesday, "It is something we need to take care of, we have to be careful with. But if it is taken care of properly, it will be behind him, we hope, and we will move forward."
Soriano had appeared in 16 games prior to his injury, compiling nine holds and one save with a 5.40 ERA.
