Yankees hope injured Soriano can come up big in second half

The following statement is going to freeze the marrow of even the most casual member of Yankees Universe: Reliever Rafael Soriano will play a large part in the Yankees reaching the postseason or going home early for the second time in four years.

With the July 31 trading deadline approaching and the Yankees needing bullpen help so David Robertson doesn't burn out by being overworked, the Yankees are looking at Soriano -- who hasn't worked since May 13 because of an inflamed right elbow -- to come off the disabled list and return to the eighth-inning role he was given $35 million across three years to do.

"I don't think you can find a better reliever [in a trade] than Rafael Soriano," said general manager Brian Cashman, whose club opens a four-game series against the Blue Jays tonight at Rogers Centre.

MR. 3,000

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Robertson, an All-Star, has been splendid as Mariano Rivera's setup man, but the Yankees need to be careful. Robertson missed three weeks late in 2009 because of right elbow stiffness.

A healthy and effective Soriano would be a major boost to the Yankees, who are one game behind the Red Sox in the AL East and five up on the Rays and Angels, who are tied for second place in the wild-card race.

Of course, the Yankees have other questions. Have Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia delivered all they had to offer? Can Phil Hughes contribute after a disastrous first half when he pitched poorly and then went on the disabled list? Can Eduardo Nunez play as well filling in for Alex Rodriguez for possibly eight weeks at third as he did for Derek Jeter at short across three weeks? Can Russell Martin improve on a .222 average to support the bottom of the order. What will Robinson Cano do hitting fourth for an extended stretch?

Finally, what trade deadline deal will Cashman make because the Yankees always do something. With other teams understanding Dellin Betances, Manuel Banuelos, Austin Romine and Jesus Montero are off-limits and the talent pool shallow, the Yankees likely won't be able to swing a deal for a big-name player.

Unless in two weeks they discover Soriano isn't healthy or effective enough. Then the Yankees might be forced to get Heath Bell from San Diego or Joakim Soria from Kansas City.

The Mets talked to the Yankees about Francisco Rodriguez, but the Yankees had no interest.

Healthy and effective haven't been used much in describing the 31-year-old Soriano.

From the moment he signed there has been negativity around the right-hander who led the AL in saves last year with 45 for the Rays.

Cashman believed $35 million was too much for a setup man. Walking around with a pocketful of money after Cliff Lee stiffed him by going to Philadelphia, owner Hal Steinbrenner ignored Cashman's suggestion to pass on Soriano and gave him the money.

On May 24, Soriano saw Dr. James Andrews and was told to shut it down for six to eight weeks.

It has been 51 days since James delivered the message. Yesterday in Tampa, Soriano threw a second batting practice session that consisted of 25 pitches.

"He is close to a rehab assignment," Cashman said.

If all goes well during the rehab assignments -- figure at least two -- Soriano could rejoin the Yankees by this time next week.

That will mean Soriano is healthy enough to pitch. But what about that 5.40 ERA he lugged to the shelf? Or the 11 walks (to 10 strikeouts) and 15 hits he allowed in 15 frames? And he did nothing in the six weeks he was active to instill trust among his teammates or act like he cared who they were.

Yes, there are other issues with the Yankees, but none like Soriano, who chills every bone in the Yankees Universe.

george.king@nypost.com