MLB Player News

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Effross and Aroldis Chapman will be the team's primary closing options while Clay Holmes (back) is on the 15-day injured list, Randy Miller of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

The left-handed Chapman's longer track record of closing experience along with his excellent results of late probably make him the better bet to handle the majority of the save chances during Holmes' absence, but the right-handed Effross will at least allow Boone to mix and match a bit depending on how the opposing lineups shake out late in games. Boone has already shown a willingness to use Effross in a closing situation, as the 28-year-old most recently bagged his first save with the Yankees his last time out Saturday in Boston. He still may be worthy of a short-term pickup in mixed leagues where Chapman is already being rostered.

Marinaccio was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday, Jack Curry of YES Network reports.

Marinaccio spent a week and a half in the minors but will rejoin the big-league club after Clay Holmes (back) was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday. Marinaccio has made six appearances in the majors since the All-Star break and has posted a 1.23 ERA and 0.82 WHIP in 7.1 innings.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed Wednesday that Holmes has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a left lower back spasm, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Boone hinted a day earlier that Holmes' ongoing bout with the back issue would likely result in a stint on the IL, though the skipper noted that he's hopeful the 29-year-old misses the minimum 15 days, per Feinsand. Even if Holmes needs only a minimum-length IL stay, he may not reclaim the closer's gig when healthy, given his recent struggles of late in addition to Aroldis Chapman's long track record at the back end of the bullpen. It was Chapman's stint on the IL earlier in the season that allowed Holmes to take the closer's job and run with it, but Chapman has since returned to top form after a few turbulent appearances following his activation from the IL in early July. Over his last nine outings, Chapman has allowed five baserunners and has struck out 10 over 9.1 scoreless innings. The Yankees likely won't have much hesitation about reinstalling Chapman in the ninth-inning role while Holmes is on the shelf.

Honeywell (elbow) started Single-A Stockton's loss to Lake Elsinore on Tuesday, firing a scoreless first inning during which he allowed a hit and recorded two strikeouts.

Honeywell fired 14 pitches overall during his one frame, nine which he threw for strikes. The oft-injured 27-year-old was making his 2022 debut after his latest extended layoff, and given his complex medical history, Honeywell is likely due for a prolonged rehab assignment before a potential late-season activation is considered.

Then (elbow) was reinstated from Double-A Arkansas' injured list last Thursday and made his 2022 debut for the affiliate two days later, striking out two and allowing one run on hit and one walk in a one-inning appearance.

Then had been on the shelf since early April with the right elbow injury before he was cleared to begin a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League earlier this month. After two one-inning outings in the ACL, Then was cleared to rejoin Arkansas. The 22-year-old seems likely to work out of the bullpen moving forward.

Rosenberg (arm) began a rehab assignment Monday with the Angels' Arizona Complex League affiliate and gave up three earned runs on one hit and one walk while striking out one over a one-inning start.

Rosenberg, who currently resides on Triple-A Salt Lake's 7-day injured list due to an apparent arm issue, faced six batters in his first game action since July 3. The Angels are likely planning on having Rosenberg getting stretched back out before he rejoins the Triple-A rotation, so expect him to make at least a couple more starts in the lower levels of the minors.

The Twins promoted Woods Richardson from Double-A Wichita to Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The 21-year-old right-hander will move up to the Twins' top affiliate after supplying a 3.00 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 78:27 K:BB across 72 innings at Double-A. Woods Richardson was one two prospects the Twins received in last summer's trade that sent Jose Berrios to Toronto.

Thornton was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Thornton was called up by Toronto on Aug. 7 and made four relief appearances for the big-league club since then. He struck out six while posting a 4.50 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in six innings but will head back to the minors after Ross Stripling (hip) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Chapman appears to be the top candidate to step in as the Yankees' primary closer after manager Aaron Boone suggested following Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Rays that Clay Holmes (back) will likely go on the injured list, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Though Chapman hasn't received any save opportunities since returning July 1 from an IL stint of his own due to Achilles tendinitis, he's started to resemble the dominant end gamer he's been throughout most of his career, especially in his more recent appearances. Dating back to July 26, Chapman has turned in nine straight scoreless outings while delivering an 0.43 WHIP and 10:1 K:BB in 9.1 innings over that stretch. Despite not having held the closer's role since landing on the IL in late May, Chapman is likely still rostered in the majority of fantasy leagues, but Holmes' impending absence means that the 34-year-old lefty should be scooped up immediately if he happens to be sitting on the waiver wire anywhere.

The Royals optioned Mills to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

He'll cede his spot on the 26-man active roster and in the bullpen to right-hander Joel Payamps (personal), who was reinstated from the bereavement list. Mills turned in a 5.66 ERA and 1.66 WHIP while collecting four holds over his 18 appearances following his July 1 call-up from Triple-A.