MLB Player News

Manager Joe Girardi said Betances would take over as the Yankees' closer with Aroldis Chapman (shoulder) placed on the disabled list, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Girardi noted that Betances is looking forward to the challenge of finishing out games after enduring some hiccups in ninth inning when Chapman and Andrew Miller were traded away to the Cubs and Indians, respectively, last summer. Betances still finished with 12 saves in 17 chances in 2016 to go with a sterling 126:28 K:BB in 73 innings. With the right-hander continuing to pile up swings and misses to begin the current campaign, he could represent an elite closing option for the duration of Chapman's absence. The Yankees are set to re-evaluate Chapman in two weeks, but the expectation is that it could be a month or longer before he's ready for an activation.

Pomeranz was removed from his start Sunday against the Rays in the top of the fourth inning with an undisclosed injury, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Pomeranz went through his usual pre-inning warmup routine to begin the fourth, then called the team trainer and manager John Farrell to the mound to meet with him. It was determined that Pomeranz would be pulled from the outing in favor of reliever Ben Taylor with the Red Sox facing a 2-1 deficit after the left-hander gave up two runs on three hits prior to his departure. The Red Sox should provide clarity on why Pomeranz was removed from the contest after the game.

Betances is expected to assume closing duties with Aroldis Chapman (shoulder) due to miss at least two weeks, ESPN.com's Andrew Marchand reports.

After three consecutive 100-plus-strikeout seasons and another strong start of 2017 with a 0.77 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 11.2 innings, Betances is likely already owned in most mixed leagues, but he'll warrant an immediate pickup in shallower formats where available now that he'll presumably add saves to his portfolio. While Chapman is set to be reevaluated in two weeks, the presumption is that he won't be ready to come off the disabled list until mid June, so Betances could potentially gather double-digit saves in the short term to go along with his typically impressive ratios. Assuming manager Joe Girardi sticks with Betances as his sole closer rather than going with a committee while Chapman is out, Tyler Clippard and Adam Warren will be entrusted to lock down the eighth and seventh innings, respectively.

Yankees GM Brian Cashman said Chapman (shoulder) would be shut down for the next two weeks before being reevaluated by the team, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Cashman noted that Chapman first informed the team Friday about the pain he was experiencing in his left shoulder. Chapman was then sent in for an MRI, which revealed the reliever was dealing with inflammation in his rotator cuff. The Yankees are hopeful that two full weeks off will provide adequate time for the discomfort in Chapman's shoulder to subside, but even in a best-case scenario, it's likely that Chapman will miss closer to a month of action, since he would have to start up a throwing program again and possibly head out on a rehab assignment before being activated from the DL. The team hasn't announced who will close in Chapman's place, but Dellin Betances, who has recorded 22 career saves and has compiled a 0.77 ERA and 22 strikeouts over 11.2 innings this season, would likely represent the top candidate for those duties.

Green was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

With closer Aroldis Chapman (shoulder) hitting the disabled list and the Yankees set to play a doubleheader Sunday, Green will offer the team some additional depth out of the bullpen for either game. Green, who has made five starts and compiled a 4.73 ERA and 1.64 WHIP over 26.2 innings with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season, is expected to work in long relief while he sticks around with the big club.

Wilson mowed through the ninth inning in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Angels, striking out the side to record his second save.

The Tigers' new designated closer performed his job to perfection, setting down Danny Espinosa and Cliff Pennington on swinging strikes while also catching Martin Maldonado looking. It was the 29-year-old lefty's first save since officially supplanting Francisco Rodriguez for the ninth-inning role and extended his streak of scoreless appearances to five. Wilson now sports a sparkling 1.15 ERA and 0.51 WHIP, while also boasting an excellent 26:4 K:BB over 15.2 innings.

Chapman was placed on the 10-day disabled list Sunday with inflammation in the rotator cuff of his left shoulder.

Chapman opened the season in dominant fashion with only one run allowed and 18 strikeouts over his first 11.1 innings, but he's labored through his last two appearances, surrendering four runs on six hits and two walks over 1.1 innings. It appears safe to conclude the shoulder issue may have played a factor in Chapman's struggles, and the team will now shut him down for at least a week and half in hopes that the inflammation subsides. The Yankees haven't provided a timetable for Chapman's return, but that could be ascertained once the team is able to conduct further exams. While Chapman is out, Dellin Betances looks like the most logical candidate to assume closing duties, but it's possible manager Joe Girardi is more comfortable keeping Betances in a high-leverage setup role instead. If that's the case, Tyler Clippard, who previously served as a closer for the Nationals and Athletics, could be in line for save opportunities.

Norris didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Angels and gave up two earned runs on seven hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out four.

The lefty labored some -- firing 104 pitches without finishing the sixth inning -- but certainly did enough to keep the Tigers in line for the eventual win. Norris' biggest mistake was the two-run single he surrendered to Albert Pujols, which knotted the score at 2-2 in the fifth. It was a solid bounce-back outing for the 24-year-old, who'd given up five runs (four earned) over 4.2 innings against Oakland in his last start. Norris' control has been an issue throughout the season, as he's now issued multiple walks in each of his seven trips to the mound. He'll look to make it two straight solid outings when he faces the Orioles at home next Thursday.

Kahnle allowed a solo home run over 1.1 innings in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Padres.

Kahnle was on the hill for the seventh and eighth innings with the White Sox ahead but picked up a blown save when he surrendered his first home run of the season. He's been otherworldly out of Chicago's bullpen so far and earned a chance to pitch high-leverage situations like Saturday's. He'll continue to pitch in these types of situations while manager Rick Renteria manages a pen without Nate Jones (elbow), Zach Putnam (elbow) and Jake Petricka (back), and he may supplant them for setup work if his run continues.

Weber was placed on the 10-day disabled list Sunday due to a right biceps strain, Bob Dutton of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

Weber was diagnosed with the injury after meeting with a doctor following his spot start Saturday against the Blue Jays, during which he gave up one run over 3.2 innings. The right-hander was only making a start for the Mariners with several key rotation members dealing with injuries, and his move to the DL will likely instead prompt the team to bring aboard another starter from the minors when a fifth starter is needed again. In the meantime, the Mariners promoted Dan Altavilla from Triple-A Tacoma in a corresponding move to provide an extra arm out of the bullpen.