Spoke with Yankees pitching coordinator Nardi Contreras before today's game, and he gave us more than a few exciting bits of news about some of the guys around the system. Here they are in bullet form, with a full transcript to follow.

- Dellin Betances, once one of the system's top prospects, is about a week to 10 days away from coming off the DL. He's been on the shelf since last season after having ligament reinforcement surgery.

- Manny Banuelos, whom Contreras called "the Mexican Whitey Ford," is still in Mexico after having an appendectomy before getting into a game. The timetable for his return is unknown.

- Paul Bush, a former Thunder pitcher, is about to start working in extended spring training

- Jorge Vazquez, a former Thunder first baseman, also had an appendectomy and has been on the disabled list since the season started.

- Pitchers Contreras thinks could wind up at Trenton at some point this season: Hector Noesi and Adam Warren. Pat Venditte was not mentioned. Said "there's always a chance to see anybody," but, as for Venditte, "not unless somebody gets hurt."

That's it for now. Much more to come later.