Weiss confident in 'pen, even without Betancourt

MIAMI -- The latest setback for Rockies closer Rafael Betancourt has opened the door for left-hander Rex Brothers, who will assume the closer role following another Betancourt injury.

Betancourt exited Thursday night's 5-4 loss to the Phillies with what has initially been diagnosed as a sprained right elbow. He is scheduled to have an MRI on Monday after the Rockies return home from their current 10-game East Coast road trip.

Betancourt has already had two stints on the disabled list this season, so Weiss is confident that Brothers and the rest of the bullpen can make a smoother than normal transition.

"I love Rex in the game, whether it's the seventh, eighth or ninth inning," Weiss said Friday before the Rockies' game against the Marlins. "It doesn't matter to me exactly where he pitches. He's going to protect the lead regardless of the inning. I think he's one of the more talented left-handed relievers in the game."

Weiss acknowledged that Betancourt's latest setback will force him to alter his normal approach late in games.

"We've got some options, but we might have to be a little more creative than when Raffy's around," Weiss said. "We might give our starters a little longer leash, but you still want to have the mentality to protect our starters, but we've also got to use common sense, too. There's times when you have to protect the bullpen and manage accordingly."

Brothers was 2-0 with a 1.51 ERA and 11 saves in 12 chances entering the three-game series at Marlins Park.

Adam Ottavino and Brothers each pitched a 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts in Friday's 3-2 win over the Marlins.