MLB Player News

Alexander (shoulder) will face hitters Monday before a decision is made on whether he'll need a rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

The veteran southpaw came away from a 20-pitch bullpen session Friday feeling healthy, leading to the decision regarding Monday's bump up in activity level. If Alexander emerges from the live batting practice session setback-free, he could conceivably skip a rehab assignment altogether, given he's only been sidelined since Aug. 20 and wouldn't need to build back up for his relief role.

Ferguson (2-2) took the loss against the Rangers on Saturday, allowing an earned run on two hits, a walk and a hit-by-pitch over 1.1 innings. He struck out three.

It was the ultimate tale of two innings for Ferguson, who opened his appearance by striking out Corey Seager, Josh Smith and Adolis Garcia swinging on 12 pitches in the eighth inning to preserve a 2-2 tie. However, he never came close to replicating the feat in the ninth, putting three of the first four hitters he faced on before surrendering a game-winning single to Leody Taveras. It was the second time in three outings that Ferguson gave up a run following a 10-appearance scoreless streak that had encompassed the majority of August. Despite Saturday's hiccup, Ferguson should remain the top setup option to closer Mason Miller over the season's final month unless he goes on an extended stretch of poor performances.

Brieske will serve as the Tigers' opening pitcher in Sunday's game against the Red Sox, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander will serve as an opener for the eighth time this season, though he hasn't pitched particularly well in the role with eight earned runs allowed and a 12:5 K:BB across 10 innings. The Tigers have officially announced the rest of their pitching plans, but either Ty Madden or Brant Hurter should be in line to work in bulk relief behind Brieske.

Joyce (2-0) picked up the win over the Mariners on Saturday, allowing one hit over one inning while striking out one.

Joyce took over in the top of the ninth with the score tied at 4-4 and retired the leadoff batter before hitting Randy Arozarena with a pitch and then giving up a single to Justin Turner. However, the 23-year-old was able to work his way out of the jam and was then rewarded with his second win of the campaign when the Angels walked it off in the bottom of the frame. Joyce has not allowed any runs or walks in five straight appearances while posting seven strikeouts over that stretch. He has, however, allowed at least one hit in three consecutive outings.

The Yankees designated Maciejewski for assignment Sunday.

The 29-year-old has been up with the Yankees a couple times this season but will lose his place on the 40-man roster to make room for Anthony Rizzo's (forearm) return from the 60-day injured list. Maciejewski made four appearances for New York and allowed two earned runs with a 7:2 K:BB across seven innings, though he's struggled to a 6.02 ERA in 16 appearances with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The Yankees recalled Effross from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

Effross's next appearance with the Yankees will be his first since Oct. 3, 2022, as he missed the team's playoff run that season due to an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. He likely would have been fully cleared for the start of spring training this year, but he underwent back surgery this past winter that prevented him from beginning a rehab assignment until late June. Once Effross was activated from the 60-day injured list over the All-Star break, the Yankees optioned him to Triple-A, where he's flourished in recent weeks. Dating back to Aug. 1, Effross has posted a 1.42 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 12:2 K:BB in 12.2 innings. He'll likely have to settle for low-leverage work out of the Yankees' bullpen initially but could push his way into a more meaningful role if he fares well.

The Yankees recalled Marinaccio from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

Marinaccio has previously made 14 appearances for the big club this season, logging a 2.53 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with 22 strikeouts in 21.1 innings. Despite his strong ratios with the big club and at Triple-A (2.02 ERA, 0.99 WHIP in 35.2 innings) this season, Marinaccio could be limited to a low-leverage role out of the New York bullpen in September.

Faucher picked up the save over the Giants on Saturday, hurling a perfect ninth inning while striking out two.

Faucher took the mound in the bottom of the ninth with a 4-3 lead and got Patrick Bailey to fly out to center on the first pitch before retiring the final two batters by way of strikeout. It marked the right-hander's fifth save of the campaign -- all of which came in August, and he's now recorded multiple strikeouts in two of his last three appearances. Faucher appears to have a fairly firm grip on the closer job since Tanner Scott's departure, with Faucher's only blown save coming Aug. 2.

Yates (6-2) picked up the win in Saturday's 3-2 victory over the A's, allowing a hit and a walk in a scoreless inning. He struck out one.

Entering a 2-2 tie in the top of the ninth inning, Yates put a couple runners aboard with two outs but got Daz Cameron to fly out to end the threat, and the Rangers closer was rewarded when his team walked it off in the bottom of the frame. Yates blew his first save of the year Aug. 18, but it was otherwise another strong month for the veteran right-hander, who delivered a 1.93 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB over 14 August innings.

Atlanta designated Logue for assignment Sunday.

The left-hander will give up his spot on the 40-man roster to right-handed reliever John Brebbia, whom Atlanta signed to a one-year deal Sunday. Logue was added to the roster in late July and was called up on two occasions by the big club, but he never made an appearance for Atlanta. He's been a standout performer as a swingman at Triple-A Gwinnett this season, logging a 2.68 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 86:27 K:BB across 90.2 innings.