Scott

Effross

Effross gets the boot as the Yankees need the roster room for Ben Rice, and Rice was recalled in a corresponding transaction. Effross could still pitch in the postseason, but it seems doubtful he’ll be a big part of that pitching staff.

With Mark Leiter Jr. headed to the Paternity list, Effross will come up to join the team for at least the next three days. The veteran has pitched to a 2.78 ERA and 28:9 K:BB ratio in 32 1/2 innings at Triple-A this year.

Congrats to Mark and his family. He will miss the next three games before likely returning on the final day of the season. Scott Effross was called up in a corresponding move.

Effross threw 23 pitches on Wednesday, and the Yankees needed to send a pitcher to the minors with Luis Gil set to be activated from the IL for Friday’s game, so Effross was their answer. The veteran has allowed two runs in two innings with the Yankees this season.

Effross will be a middle-inning option for the Yankees now that rosters have expanded to 28 around baseball. The 30-year-old has looked much better as of late in Triple-A, but still doesn’t offer fantasy value.

The Yankees were hoping Effross would be contributing by now, but he’s still struggling in his return from Tommy John and back surgeries. His velocity isn’t quite where it was a couple of years ago, and he’s given up eight earned runs in 9 2/3 innings for the RailRiders.

The 30-year-old hurler has worked his way all the way back from Tommy John surgery and could be ready to join the Yankees’ bullpen after the All-Star break. It’s likely that they simply want him to remain there for a few days over the break before he’s ready to make his 2024 season debut.

“Could be, we’ll see,” were specifically Boone’s words. Very official. Effross has not pitched in the majors for a couple years because of Tommy John surgery and a back operation, but the 30-year-old could be an option for the Yankees in the middle innings in the second half of 2024. He should not be an option for fantasy players in that role, however.

Effross threw three scoreless innings for Single-A Tampa last month, but since moving up, he’s given up four earned runs in 5 1/3 innings. His 30-day rehab stint will end right after the All-Star break, but the Yankees might ask for an extension if he’s still giving up runs. He’s missed nearly two years after Tommy John surgery and back surgery, so it’s hardly a surprise it’s taking him a little while here.

Effross has missed all of 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery he underwent in December of 2022. The 30-year-old could be a contributor to the bullpen at some point this summer, but he’ll likely need a lengthy rehab assignment before he can help.