MLB Player News

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.

Weaver could be a candidate to receive save chances after Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that the team will get "creative" with the closer role going forward, Jack Curry of YES Network reports.

Clay Holmes blew his 11th save of the season Tuesday, prompting the Yankees to shake up the ninth-inning situation. Boone didn't officially demote Holmes or name replacement options, but Weaver is an obvious candidate since he leads the team with 22 holds. He's been effective with a 3.33 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 79:23 K:BB across 73 innings. Mark Leiter and Tommy Kahnle could also be in the mix.

Leiter could be in the mix for save chances after Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that the team will get "creative" with the closer role going forward, Jack Curry of YES Network reports.

The skipper didn't officially demote closer Clay Holmes or name specific relievers for the "creative" approach, but Leiter should be one of the top candidates to see save chances. However, the right-hander hasn't pitched particularly well since being acquired from the Cubs at the summer trade deadline, as he has a 6.08 ERA, 1.95 WHIP and 19:6 K:BB across 13.1 innings with the Yankees. That could give a leg up to Luke Weaver and/or Tommy Kahnle, who both have been reliable high-leverage options for Boone this year.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday the team will get "creative" with the closer role going forward, which could still include Holmes depending on matchups, Jack Curry of YES Network reports.

Boone avoided explicitly saying that Holmes has been demoted from the closer role, but that's the clear indication even if the right-hander is still somewhat involved. The 31-year-old surrendered a grand slam Tuesday against Texas as he blew his league-leading 11th save of the season, which finally prompted the Yankees to change their approach. Holmes has been fairly effective overall with a 3.27 ERA across 55 innings, but he's allowed a lot of traffic with a 1.33 WHIP and 3.1 BB/9. Boone didn't name any alternative relievers, but Mark Leiter, Luke Weaver and Tommy Kahnle could all be in the mix for saves.

The Athletics reinstated Alexander (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Left rotator cuff tendinitis sent Alexander to the injured list Aug. 20, and rather than heading to the minors for a rehab assignment, he'll now rejoin Oakland's bullpen following a minimum-length stay. The 35-year-old southpaw has been strong all season, and he's given up just two earned runs over 10 innings since the All-Star break. Joe Boyle was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Romano (elbow) has begun throwing on flat ground from 60 feet, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Romano had arthroscopic right elbow surgery two months ago and will now begin ramping things back up with the hope of returning before the end of the season. If the reliever is able to make it back, it probably won't happen until late September, and it's unlikely he'd be thrown back into the closer role at that point.

Hill earned a hold against Texas on Tuesday by retiring both batters he faced, striking out one.

Hill hasn't worked in many high-leverage situations this season, but he was brought in Tuesday with New York hanging onto a two-run lead and the bases loaded with one out in the eighth frame. The lefty got the job done, allowing a sacrifice fly before striking out Jonah Heim to keep the Yankees in the lead. It was just the second hold of the season for Hill and his first since coming over to New York on June 20. He's been effective with the Yankees, posting a 2.34 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB while picking up three wins over 27 appearances covering 34.2 innings.

The Twins optioned Castillo to Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday.

Just three days after he was added to the Twins' 40-man roster and 28-man active roster, Castillo will head back to the minors to open up a spot for right-hander Louie Varland, who was recalled ahead of an expected bulk-relief appearance Wednesday versus the Rays. During his brief time with the Twins, Castillo made one appearance and struck out a batter in a scoreless inning.

Thornton (3-3) took the loss against the Athletics on Tuesday, allowing an earned run on two hits and a walk over one-third of an inning. He struck out one.

Thornton was tasked with preserving a 2-2 tie when he entered in the ninth, and after retiring the dangerous Brent Rooker looking, he never recorded another out. Seth Brown would subsequently walk it off for the Athletics with a single that plated JJ Bleday, snapping an eight-appearance scoreless streak for Thornton and saddling him with his first loss since July 22. The veteran right-hander has been a mostly effective option for Seattle, but his presence in a high-leverage spot Tuesday may have been due to the fact closer Andres Munoz is battling elbow soreness.

Alexander is expected to serve as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Cole Sulser in Wednesday's game against the Twins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Even with Zack Littell returning from the injured list to start Monday's series opener versus Minnesota, the Rays will at least temporarily expand the rotation to six men to include Alexander. Since being recalled from Triple-A Durham on Aug. 17, Alexander has made three appearances, tossing 14.1 innings and striking out 10 while allowing 11 earned runs on 15 hits and five walks.