Betances was recently shifted to the bullpen at Triple-A. He's allowed a run on two hits and a walk in 4 1/3 innings as a reliever this year. He also struck out four.

"This is the problem with the development clock," Cashman said. "If he had two or three more options, we would keep working with him as a starter. But with him being out of options after this year, it is becoming more obvious that if he is going to help us, it is going to be out of the pen."

The 6-foot-8 Betances has displayed improvement with Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes/Barre recently to even his record at 2-2 and lower his ERA to 6.00. The right-hander threw five no-hit innings during his last start Sunday but has walked 16 in 24 innings this season.

"I felt like I battled early on. It was a tough day today and the weather hasn't been the best, but I was able to make pitches when I needed to and my defense had my back," Betances said, per MLB.com. "My changeup kept me in the game the whole time. I was able to throw it early in the count and behind in the count."

After posting a 13.60 ERA in his first three starts, Betances has managed a 1.76 ERA in his last three starts, lowering his ERA to 6.00. Betances is 2-2 with a .213 opponents' batting average in six starts. He has 25 strikeouts to 16 walks in 24 innings.

Betances, who was once a prized prospect in the Yankees' system, is trying to return to form in 2013. 

"My last year was not a good year," he said. "For me, it's about getting that consistency and being able to get to where I was a couple years ago. It's just a matter of trying not to be too aggressive, staying closed and getting that front extension that will allow me to work down in the zone and throw strikes early on. Then I can mix in the off-speed pitches."