NEW YORK -- Octavio Dotel is in the final stage of his return from Tommy John elbow surgery, as the Yankees expect the right-hander to join the bullpen sometime in July.

Dotel, who experienced a minor setback when he was diagnosed with tendinitis behind his elbow, has spent the past week or two with the Yankees while he works his elbow back into shape.

The reliever sat down with MLB.com's Mark Feinsand to discuss his experience after the surgery, his latest setback and his role with the Yankees this season.

MLB.com: What has this last year been like for you since you had Tommy John surgery?

Dotel: It's tough. You feel like you are losing everything, like your career is over when you find out that you have to have the surgery. Even with the medical technology right now, you still feel like it's over.

I have felt comfortable, personally, but professionally, my first thought was, 'I guess it's all over for me in baseball now.' I had no idea how I would feel or what was going to happen to me.

MLB.com: What has been the hardest part of this ordeal?

Dotel: The hardest part after surgery is to go to rehab every day for seven months. You have to have a really strong mind to keep your attitude consistent on a daily basis. That was definitely the hardest part.

MLB.com: How do you think you can help this team when you return?

Dotel: I think if I'm 100 percent healthy, I can help this team a lot. We've had problems with our bullpen, and for the past two, three, four years, I've been a good reliever.

We have the best closer in baseball, but he needs some help. I don't think he can do it by himself. We have to get the game to the ninth and get the ball to Mo, and I think when I come back, I can help the rest of the guys do that.

MLB.com: Has it been frustrating for you to have some setbacks in the last two weeks?

Dotel: It's been tough for me, since I was so close to being here. Just one little thing can set you back for 15 or 20 days, so you have to stay strong in your mind when things like that happen. Sometimes, you can think, "Why is this happening to me?" Trainers and doctors have told me it's normal after surgery, though, which helps me relax a little bit.

MLB.com: What do you think it will be like for you the first time you step back on a mound in a Major League game?

Dotel: It's going to be really, really, really exciting. To come back, playing for the Yankees, it's something big. I've pitched six or seven years in the bigs, so to pitch in a Yankees uniform, that's exciting for me. To know that I'm with the New York Yankees, that's amazing.