Player Page

Weather | Roster

Rafael Betancourt | Relief Pitcher

Team: Colorado Rockies
Age / DOB:  (38) / 4/29/1975
Ht / Wt:  6'2' / 215
Bats / Throws: Right / Right
College: Isaac Newton College (VZ)
Contract: view contract details
Share: 

Latest News

Recent News

Rafael Betancourt is a perfect 9-for-9 in save opportunities.
Betancourt took a loss in his last appearance against the Yankees, though that blemish came courtesy of an unearned run. The 38-year old from Cumana, Sucre, Venezuela owns a spectacular 1.26 ERA, but an uninspiring 11/8 K/BB rate over 14 1/3 frames. He's also been aided by a pair of unearned runs. Betancourt is locked in as the Rockies' closer and remains a solid fantasy option, though his ERA shouldn't buy new jeans. It'll expand sooner or later. May 14 - 4:58 AM

Highest Searched Players over the last 7 days


Player News

Date:
Rafael Betancourt - R - Rockies

Rafael Betancourt has successfully converted his first three save opportunities of the 2013 regular season.

Betancourt boasts a 0.00 ERA, 0.60 WHIP and two strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings. He is locked into the Rockies' closer gig right now and remains a solid fantasy option.
Apr 11 - 10:34 AM
Rafael Betancourt - R - Rockies

The Rockies are expected to limit Rafael Betancourt early in spring training.

The 37-year-old isn't injured and simply wants to take his time getting ready for the regular season. Betancourt will enter 2013 as the Rockies' closer, but is a strong candidate to be traded at some point this summer.
Source: Rockies.mlb.com
Feb 20 - 3:57 PM
Rafael Betancourt - R - Rockies

Rafael Betancourt was shaky in the ninth inning against the Padres on Sunday, allowing a run on three hits, but managed to escape with the save.

Taking over with an 11-9 lead, Betancourt got the first two outs before Cameron Maybin singled. After taking second on defensive indifference, he came around to score on a single by Alexi Amarista. Mark Kotsay then followed with a single, putting the winning run on base, but he was able to bear down and get Chris Denorfia to end it. He’s now converted 27 saves in 32 chances on the season, while posting a 2.57 ERA and 44/12 K/BB ratio over 49 innings.
Sun, Sep 2, 2012 06:39:00 PM
Rafael Betancourt - R - Rockies

Rafael Betancourt recorded his 19th save of the season in Tuesday's 3-1 defeat of the Dodgers.

He didn't allow a base runner in the outing. Betancourt is on a streak of seven straight appearances without allowing an earned run. In fact, since June 28, he hasn't allowed a run in every outing he's pitched outside of one. Betancourt's elite K/BB rate and WHIP are harbingers that the good times won't end. The only concern, of course, is that he closes for one of baseball's worst teams.
Wed, Aug 8, 2012 01:56:00 AM
Rafael Betancourt - R - Rockies

The Rockies did not trade closer Rafael Betancourt.

The Rangers, Braves, Red Sox and Blue Jays were among the teams with interest, but the Rockies apparently didn't find an attractive enough return package. Betancourt will continue to save games for Colorado.
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 04:09:00 PM
Rafael Betancourt - R - Rockies

Texas, Atlanta, Boston and Toronto are amongst teams with interest in Colorado closer Rafael Betancourt, according to Yahoo! Sports.

Betancourt has posted a 3.00 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 36 innings this season while converting 17-of-21 save chances. He's doing so on the cheap. The veteran is signed for $4.25 million next season with a mutual option calling for the same salary in 2014. The Rockies would probably be best served moving Betancourt and handing ninth-inning duties to youngster Rex Brothers, so a trade is a decent possibility.
Source: Jeff Passan on Twitter
Sun, Jul 29, 2012 07:20:00 PM
Rafael Betancourt - R - Rockies

Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports that the Orioles, A's and Yankees have interest in Rafael Betancourt.

And other teams could join the fray as Tuesday's non-waiver trade deadline approaches. Betancourt has posted a 3.00 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 36 innings this season while converting 17-of-21 save chances. If he's moved, the Rockies would probably hand ninth-inning duties to youngster Rex Brothers.
Related: Orioles, Yankees, Athletics
Source: Denver Post
Sat, Jul 28, 2012 08:32:00 PM
Rafael Betancourt - R - Rockies

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com gets the impression the Rockies would be willing to deal closer Rafael Betancourt.

The Rockies are out of the race, so they should be willing to listen to almost anyone in theory. However, Betancourt will make just $4.25 million next season and his contract includes $4.25M mutual option or a $250,000 buyout for 2014, so he'll likely cost more than a rental-type like Brett Myers or Francisco Rodriguez. For what it's worth, Heyman hears that the Rockies "seem pretty set" on keeping Matt Belisle.
Related: Matt Belisle
Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 09:58:00 PM
Rafael Betancourt - R - Rockies

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Red Sox have scouted Rockies closer Rafael Betancourt "a few times."

The out-of-contention Rockies would surely listen to trade offers for their closer, but with an affordable contract through 2014, it would probably take a decent package to land him. Betancourt boasts a 2.84 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 34/9 K/BB ratio over 31 2/3 innings this season.
Related: Red Sox
Source: Boston Globe
Sun, Jul 15, 2012 10:14:00 AM
Rafael Betancourt - R - Rockies

Rafael Betancourt recorded his 13th save of the season in Tuesday's 3-2 defeat of the Cardinals.

Betancourt made it plenty interesting, allowing a leadoff hit to David Freese before walking Daniel Descalso. But he was able to pitch around the threat. Betancourt has a 3.03 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 29 2/3 innings this year.
Tue, Jul 3, 2012 11:21:00 PM
Rafael Betancourt - R - Rockies

Rafael Betancourt tossed a scoreless ninth inning in a non-save situation in Saturday's 11-7 win against Texas.

He struck out two. Since blowing two saves, taking two losses and allowing five runs -- four earned -- over three appearances between June 13-20, Betancourt has tossed a pair of scoreless frames while striking out four. Despite his rough stretch, the 37-year-old has no job security issues. He continues to get the job done with a 3.04 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 28/7 K/BB rate over 27 appearances.
Sat, Jun 23, 2012 07:06:00 PM
Rafael Betancourt - R - Rockies

Rafael Betancourt tossed a perfect ninth inning to notch his 10th save Sunday against the Dodgers.

The 37-year-old Betancourt continues to get the job done with a 2.25 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, and only one blown save. His 20/5 K/BB ratio is actually much worse than it has been in recent years, yet is still remarkably good. In his last five appearances, the closer has been nearly flawless, with five scoreless innings and only one hit and zero walks allowed.
Mon, Jun 4, 2012 03:01:00 AM
Rafael Betancourt - R - Rockies

After entering in the ninth inning of a tie game on Thursday, Rafael Betancourt surrendered two runs and took the loss against Arizona.

It was the closer's first defeat of the season, as he falls to 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. He has converted seven of eight save opportunities after nailing down only eight of 12 last year.
Fri, May 18, 2012 06:44:00 AM
Rafael Betancourt - R - Rockies

Rafael Betancourt stayed perfect in save chances on the season, shutting down the Brewers in the ninth inning on Friday.

He had to pitch around a lead-off double to Mat Gamel, but was still able to get the job done. For years, he's been one of the truly elite relievers in the game, and is now finally getting that recognition now that he's excelling in the closer's role.
Fri, Apr 20, 2012 11:39:00 PM

Depth Charts

Batters
PosRoleName
C1Wilin Rosario
2Yorvit Torrealba
1B1Todd Helton
2Jordan Pacheco
2B1Josh Rutledge
2Jonathan Herrera
3D.J. LeMahieu
SS1Troy Tulowitzki
3B1Nolan Arenado
LF1Carlos Gonzalez
CF1Dexter Fowler
2Eric Young Jr.
RF1Michael Cuddyer
2Charlie Blackmon
Starting Pitcher
PosRoleName
S1Jhoulys Chacin
2Jorge De La Rosa
3Juan Nicasio
4Jeff Francis
5Jon Garland
6Edwar Cabrera
7Tyler Chatwood
Relief Pitcher
PosRoleName
R1Rafael Betancourt
2Matt Belisle
3Wilton Lopez
4Rex Brothers
5Adam Ottavino
6Edgmer Escalona
7Josh Outman