After more than a decade of stability at the closer positions, the Yankees have lost two in the matter of days. This coming after David Robertson was placed on the 15-day disabled list after tests revealed a strained left oblique. The injury occurred while Robertson was pitching against the Seattle Mariners on May 11.

"We don't think it's too severe but it's hard to tell. Obliques can be tricky," manager Joe Girardi said. "We expect him not to pick up a baseball for probably seven to 10 days and then we'll see where we are after that."

Robertson's injury comes on the heels of the loss of Mariano Rivera, the long-time Yankee closer and all-time saves leader who tore his ACL while catching fly balls in the outfield during batting practice. Rivera will miss the rest of the season but has vowed to come back next year amid speculation he would retire.

Robertson, who pitched very well as a setup man, struggled in the two games he appeared in as Rivera's replacement. He saved the first game after loading the bases but lost the next night when he gave up four runs in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Fortunately for the Yankees, they have depth at the closer position. Rafael Soriano is the most likely candidate to fill the vacant closer spot. Soriano came to the Yankees last year after signing a three-year, $35 million contract. The previous year he led the American League in saves with the Tampa Bay Rays.

However, Soriano has struggled at times in the Bronx, partially due to his role as a middle reliever, one that he is not completely comfortable with. Now he will get his chance to show the Yankees what he can do when the game is on the line, a time when he says he is at his best.

""I love it. Love it," Soriano said. "That makes me feel more better, when I face the 3, 4, 5 hitters. Everybody can see it. Whatever happens, happens, and we come back next day, try to do it again."

Soriano feels confident he can succeed based on his past experience of closing games in the difficult American League East.

"It happened for me before. It's the same division. I had a lot of saves when I [faced] Baltimore, when I [faced] the Yankees. It will be same as I did before."

Right-handed reliever Cody Eppley was recalled from Triple-A  Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to fill Robertson's roster spot.