MLB Player News

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.

Payamps was reinstated from the bereavement list Wednesday.

Payamps had been away from the team since Saturday while tending to a personal matter, but he'll be available out of the bullpen for Wednesday's series finale in Minnesota. He's made five appearances since the All-Star break, posting a 3.00 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in nine innings.

Farmer was placed on the bereavement list Wednesday.

Farmer has been effective over five appearances since the start of August, picking up a win and a hold while striking out seven in 5.2 scoreless innings. However, he'll spend between three and seven days away from the team after landing on the bereavement list. The move makes room on the active roster for Art Warren (elbow), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday after the team's 5-4 loss to the Brewers in 11 innings that Kimbrel will retain the closing gig despite blowing his fourth save of the season, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Kimbrel was also dealt his fifth loss of the season after yielding two runs (one earned) and recording just one out Tuesday, which marked the third consecutive appearance in which he yielded an earned run. Though he's arguably the top closer of his generation, the 34-year-old Kimbrel has been one of the few squeaky wheels on an otherwise stacked roster for the 80-35 Dodgers. He now sports a 4.57 ERA and 1.55 WHIP on the season, and if not for his extensive closing experience, Kimbrel may have been removed from the role already. Kimbrel looks like he'll get at least another chance or two to right the ship, but fantasy managers preparing for a possible change at closer down the line may want to look to setup man Evan Phillips, who has gathered one save and 11 holds while turning in an 0.32 ERA and 0.61 WHIP for the Dodgers since the beginning of June.

Suter (4-3) tossed a scoreless 11th inning and picked up the win in Tuesday's victory over the Dodgers.

Suter allowed the Dodgers to take the lead in the top of the 11th, but he limited them to one run and wound up with the win when the Brewers pushed two runs across in the bottom of the frame. Suter has recorded three wins since the All-Star break, and although he allowed a run in three of his last four appearances, he owns a 1.86 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 11:3 K:BB in 9.2 innings over eight second-half appearances.

Boxberger threw a scoreless sixth inning in Tuesday's victory over the Dodgers.

Boxberger was unofficially shut down for a few days after pitching 10 times in the first 20 days out of the All-Star break, and the rest appeared to have done him well, as he retired all three batters he faced and punched out two of them. Boxberger remains part of Milwaukee's late-inning mix, but even with Josh Hader's departure, he may have been bumped down a spot in the pecking order -- trade deadline acquisitions Matt Bush and Taylor Rogers both followed him in Tuesday's contest.

Mantiply allowed one hit while striking out three over one inning to earn a hold in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Giants.

Mantiply locked down the eighth inning, a feat he's accomplishing with regularity, before Ian Kennedy blew the save in the ninth. The left-hander has made 11 consecutive scoreless appearances, picking up five holds while striking out 11 and walking two over 9.1 innings. Mantiply has yet to be handed a save opportunity since Mark Melancon was removed from the role, but manager Torey Lovullo indicated earlier that he has no problem rolling with Mantiply if left-handers are due up.

Bautista struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to record his seventh save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Blue Jays.

The dominant rookie fired nine of 11 pitches for strikes while setting down the heart of the Toronto order, and two of his fastballs popped triple digits on the radar gun. Bautista has gone 4-for-4 on save chances since taking over as the Orioles' closer, and since the All-Star break, he sports a 1.35 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and 22:3 K:BB through 13.1 innings.