NEW YORK -- The possibility of operating without an established left-handed option out of the bullpen, as the Yankees did for much of last season, is no longer a concern. New York on Wednesday re-signed reliever Damaso Marte to a three-year contract, keeping him in pinstripes through at least 2011.

The deal includes a club option for the 2012 season. The team did not disclose financial details, though the Spanish-language publication Impacto Deportivo reported earlier in the day that the contract was worth $12 million over the first three years.

Marte, 33, finished 1-3 with a 5.40 ERA in 25 appearances after joining the Yankees in a midseason trade with the Pirates, who also sent outfielder Xavier Nady to the Bronx for four players. With Pittsburgh, Marte was 4-0 with a 3.47 ERA and five saves. He owns a 3.29 ERA and 36 saves over nine big league seasons.

The Yankees last week declined the $6 million option on Marte's contract for 2009, electing instead to negotiate a longer deal for a lower annual salary. The two sides struck a deal just one day before Marte would have been allowed to discuss contract details with other teams.

Marte has appeared in more games than all but three Major League pitchers over the past five seasons, and ranks fourth in strikeouts among left-handed relievers over that span. He will rejoin a bullpen that ranked seventh in the Majors last season with a 3.78 ERA.