TAMPA, Fla. -- Zach Kroenke was returned to the Yankees on Monday by the Marlins, who had selected the left-handed prospect in December's Rule 5 Draft.

Kroenke, who turns 25 on April 21, was one of several left-handers competing for a spot in Florida's bullpen. The Yankees refunded half of the Marlins' $50,000 Draft fee to reacquire Kroenke's rights, and they will assign him to Double-A Trenton.

Kroenke had a rough spring with Florida, allowing seven runs on four hits in two spring appearances, including one outing when he faced seven batters and did not retire any.

Kroenke spent most of the 2008 season at Trenton, where he was 6-0 with a 3.09 ERA in 37 relief appearances. He also pitched in four games at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, going 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA.