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.

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

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 Denofria 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Rafael Betancourt pitched around a Travis Buck double to lock down his first save of the season against the Astros on Friday.

Betancourt has always possessed tremendous stuff, but this is the first real shot he's had at a full-time closer's job. With Rex Brothers also capable of closing games, Betancourt needed to get off to a solid start to build his job security. This was a good step in that direction.

According to ESPN's Enrique Rojas, the Rockies have reached a contract extension with Rafael Betancourt.

The new deal guarantees Betancourt his $4.25 million option for 2013 and tacks on a $4.25 million salary for 2014. He registered a sparkling 2.89 ERA and 73/8 K/BB ratio in 62 1/3 innings last season while serving primarily as a setup man. With Huston Street now out in San Diego, the 36-year-old Venezuelan right-hander will serve as Colorado's unchallenged closer in 2012.

Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports that Rafael Betancourt is expected to enter spring training as the Rockies' closer.

Not surprising, given his success in the role last year and the fact that Huston Street is on the trade block. Betancourt converted 8-of-9 save chances after being anointed as closer and allowed just one run while posting an absurd 39/1 K/BB ratio over 27 innings after the All-Star break. He often failed in chances to be a closer earlier in his career, but he's probably more equipped to handle the role at this point.

Rockies manager Jim Tracy said removing Rafael Betancourt from the closer role right now "would be asinine."

Betancourt has converted six of seven save chances since taking over the role while Huston Street was on the disabled list and has given up just one earned run since July 7. Street has been back from the DL for a while now but will remain in a setup role for the foreseeable future.

Rafael Betancourt earned his sixth save of the season in Saturday's 5-4 defeat of the Padres.

Huston Street has been active now for several days, and yet Betancourt is still drawing the save opportunities in Colorado. He will remain a must-start in fantasy leagues until the Rockies decide to make a change.

Rafael Betancourt pitched a perfect ninth in a three-run game for a save Friday against the Padres.

No Huston Street tonight, as the Rockies used Rex Brothers in the eighth in front of Betancourt. Betancourt is now 5-for-6 saving games since Street landed on the DL. Still, Street really should get the job back sometime soon.

Rafael Betancourt earned his fourth save this month by slamming the door on the Dodgers Sunday.

Betancourt blew a save yesterday but manager Jim Tracy showed confidence by bringing him in to protect a one-run lead today. Considering Betancourt came into this one with a 0.79 ERA in 11 1/3 August innings, it's not a surprise. Huston Street (triceps) is still working his way back and Betancourt is going to continue to get save chances for now. Both relievers are worth owning.

Rafael Betancourt blew a save by giving up a homer to James Loney in the ninth inning Saturday against the Dodgers.

Huston Street set him up with a scoreless eighth, though he did allow two hits and a walk in the frame. The miscue could speed Betancourt's return to a setup role. He never figured to close over Street for long anyway.

Rockies manager Jim Tracy said that even though Huston Street is back from the disabled list, Rafael Betancourt will remain his closer for the time being.

"I'm not going to pull the plug on Betancourt right now," Tracy said. "I can't do that... can't do it. It's a decision that's being made in the best interests of the players and the club, period." Betancourt converted all three of his save chances while Street was on the shelf, and he's yet to give up an earned run in the second half, giving up only five hits and one walk while striking out 28 over 16 2/3 innings. We'll probably see Street back in the ninth inning before the end of the year, but we can't blame Tracy for keeping a red-hot Betancourt in the role for now.