Manager Joe Girardi said Betances would take over as the Yankees' closer with Aroldis Chapman (shoulder) placed on the disabled list, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
Girardi noted that Betances is looking forward to the challenge of finishing out games after enduring some hiccups in ninth inning when Chapman and Andrew Miller were traded away to the Cubs and Indians, respectively, last summer. Betances still finished with 12 saves in 17 chances in 2016 to go with a sterling 126:28 K:BB in 73 innings. With the right-hander continuing to pile up swings and misses to begin the current campaign, he could represent an elite closing option for the duration of Chapman's absence. The Yankees are set to re-evaluate Chapman in two weeks, but the expectation is that it could be a month or longer before he's ready for an activation.