Octavio Dotel, a 33-year-old from the Dominican Republic, underwent Tommy John ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow a month into the 2005 season and pitched only 10 innings for the Yankees last season.
"We made a strong effort to improve that area, and I think we have done that," Moore said Sunday at the team's Spring Training complex. "Before his surgery, he was one of the premier relievers in all of baseball."
During a five-year stretch beginning in 2000, he appeared in 347 games, pitched 599 innings and struck out 624 batters. His year-by-year ERA: 2.66; 1.85; 2.48; 3.69 and 3.12.
Royals Hope Dotel Can Fill Closer Role