MLB Player News

The Yankees optioned Effross to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday.

Effross tossed 1.1 scoreless innings in Wednesday's loss to the Rangers but finds himself back in the minors a day later. The Yankees will announce a corresponding move prior to Friday's game versus the Cubs, and it could be Ian Hamilton (lat) returning from the injured list.

The Astros optioned Whitley to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Whitley allowed two unearned runs while striking out five over 2.2 innings in a couple appearances this week. He threw 48 pitches in Wednesday's blowout loss to the Reds, so the Astros will swap him out for a fresh arm.

The Astros recalled Hernandez from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Hernandez has allowed six runs with a 7:1 K:BB over six relief innings during his time with the Astros this season. He'll provide a fresh arm out of the bullpen after starter Spencer Arrighetti failed to get out of the first inning in Wednesday's game.

The Rays optioned Alexander to Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Alexander allowed four runs over 3.2 innings in bulk relief Wednesday, picking up a win over the Twins. He wasn't going to be available to pitch for a few days, so the Rays will replace him with a fresh arm.

Headrick (forearm) was activated from the 60-day IL at Triple-A St. Paul. He threw three scoreless innings in Tuesday's win over Iowa.

Headrick was in the running for one of the Twins' final bullpen spots but began the season at Triple-A and then went on the injured list April 8. He's probably run out of time to contend for a big-league promotion, but he'll be ready to compete for a job next spring.

Alexander (6-4) picked up the win Wednesday, coughing up four runs on nine hits over 3.2 innings in a 9-4 victory over the Twins. He struck out two without walking a batter.

The southpaw entered a scoreless game in the top of the fourth inning and watched the Tampa Bay offense erupt for eight runs in the bottom of the frame, but Alexander fell apart himself in the seventh, serving up homers to Kyle Farmer and Carlos Santana. Alexander is rounding out a six-man rotation for the Rays, as the team doesn't get its next day off until Sept. 16, but he's been very ineffective in that role -- over his last four appearances, he's been tagged for seven homers in 18 innings, leading to a 7.50 ERA. Assuming he gets another turn, his next outing is scheduled to come on the road early next week in Philadelphia.

Erceg picked up a save against the Guardians on Wednesday, striking out one batter in a perfect ninth inning.

Erceg had a rough outing Tuesday, giving up three runs over two-thirds of an inning. Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro went right back to the right-hander in a save situation one day later, and Erceg responded by retiring the side in order on 15 pitches. That bodes well for his chances of continuing as Kansas City's closer despite entering Wednesday amidst a rough stretch during which he went 0-2 with two blown saves while giving up seven runs across two innings over three appearances.

Yates retired the only batter he faced to earn the save in Wednesday's 10-6 win over the Yankees.

The Rangers didn't look to be in need of their closer at first, but Matt Festa and Grant Anderson struggled in the ninth inning. Yates inherited runners on the corners and two outs after Anderson was struck by a batted ball and had to leave the game. Yates was able to get Giancarlo Stanton on a flyout to end the game, picking up his 26th save of the year in the process. He's converted five straight save chances and added two wins while giving up just one run over his last 6.1 innings. Overall, Yates has a 1.37 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 75:24 K:BB through 52.2 innings this season.

Anderson was removed from Wednesday's game against the Yankees after getting hit by a comebacker, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Anderson was able to walk off the field under his own power after getting hit by a 103-mph line drive off the bat of Jazz Chisholm. The severity of the right-hander's injury is unknown, though it's possible the Rangers make him unavailable out of the bullpen for a day or two just to be safe.

Francis (8-4) took the loss Wednesday against the Phillies, allowing three runs on six hits over six innings. He struck out six.

While Francis ultimately took his first loss since Aug. 4, the right-hander turned in another strong effort against the Phillies. Francis allowed a solo home run to Kyle Schwarber in the first inning and a two-run shot to Kody Clemens in the second before holding Philadelphia scoreless over his final four frames. The 28-year-old Francis had allowed just four runs over his previous five starts (34 innings) while posting a stellar 0.38 WHIP in that span. Overall, his ERA sits at 3.72 on the year with a 0.99 WHIP and 81:19 K:BB across 84.2 innings this year. Francis is currently slated to face the Mets at home in his next outing.