Francisco Butto's ERA in the Venezuela Winter League may be a tad higher than he's used to, but it's a different stat column that's raising some eyebrows.

On Dec. 17, the right-hander, who's currently playing for the Tigres de Aragua, picked up his 13th save of the offseason. The saves he's tallied in the last two months ties his Minor League career total, which spans eight seasons.

Butto's spent most of his career in the bullpen, although with Class A Lakewood in 2003 and advanced Class A Clearwater the following season, he did see a significant amount of time as a starter. But now, it seems he's experimenting, and doing well, with a much different role.

In 23 appearances -- totaling 21 innings -- Butto is 2-3 with a 4.29 ERA, which is almost a full point higher than his career ERA of 3.35. But the bulk of his ERA is stemming from a poor outing on Nov. 9, when he gave up five runs in less than an inning.

Butto and 11 other players in the Yankees organization are currently playing in Venezuela, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

Carlos Mendoza, 2B -- In two games over a week's time, Mendoza went 3-for-8 with a run scored to raise his average to .295 on the season.

Raul Chavez, C -- Chavez's bat has cooled off as of late, dropping his average below the .300 mark. He's gone 3-for-15 since Dec. 13, leaving his average at .295.

Gerardo Casadiego, RHP -- Casadiego gave up his first run since Nov. 13 on Sunday after he gave up a solo homer in one inning of relief for the Tiburones. Ironically, the run he gave up prior to that also came on a solo shot. The right-hander's ERA remains at 2.12.

Edgar Omana, LHP -- Omana's last appearance was on Dec. 6, and his ERA stands at 9.00.

Marcos Vechionacci, 3B -- Vechionacci hasn't played since Dec. 8, when he returned from a month-long absence.

Dominican Winter League

Erick Abreu, RHP -- Abreu pitched under an inning over the last week, but he raised his ERA over a point to 2.02. Entering competition on Dec. 13, Abreu had a 0.83 ERA in 22 1/3 innings.

Edwar Ramirez, RHP -- Ramirez threw two scoreless innings last week to lower his ERA to 5.09.

Juan De Leon, RHP -- De Leon hasn't pitched since giving up two runs in his last outing, leaving his ERA at 14.71.

Jorge De Paula, RHP -- De Paula didn't pitch this past week, and he carries a 6.04 ERA in 25 1/3 innings.

Bryan Villalona, RHP -- Villalona also hasn't pitched in the last five days. He has a 7.24 ERA in 13 2/3 innings.

Mexican Winter League

Ramiro Pena, SS -- Pena had three pinch-hit at-bats over the last week, and he struck out in all three of them. The infielder is batting .209 in 67 at-bats.