Scott

Effross

Effross pitched one scoreless inning for the Yankees last month. The former Cubs setup man has a 6.75 ERA in 16 minor league innings after missing the start of the year with a strained hamstring.

Effross returning to the minors paves the way for JT Brubaker to be activated from the injured list ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Angels.

He’ll take the place of the recently demoted Brent Headrick in the Yankees’ bullpen. Effross, 31, has made nine appearances in the minor leagues this season, posting an uninspiring 9.00 ERA, 2.20 WHIP and a 14/3 K/BB ratio in 10 innings of work. Expect him to be utilized in a middle relief role.

Effross will remain stationed at Triple-A as extra organizational relief depth after wrapping up a minor league rehab assignment. The 31-year-old righty has been on the shelf since spring training recovering from a left hamstring strain. He figures to be an option for New York’s bullpen at some point in the coming weeks.

Effross is now in a “holding pattern” according to manager Aaron Boone. The 31-year-old has been riddled with injuries over the past few seasons, and it doesn’t sound like he’s going to help the Yankees in the near future.

Effross was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain last month and is likely several weeks away, if not longer, from returning to New York’s relief mix.

Effross suffered the injury during Tuesday’s spring game. The 31-year-old will be out of action for a bit, and this could cause him to miss the start of the regular season.

The veteran threw one pitch, grabbed near his hamstring, and then walked off the mound with the trainer. We’ll wait for more information on the severity of the injury, but it’s a brutal blow for the 31-year-old who has pitched just 3 1/3 MLB innings since 2022 as he continues to battle injuries.

The 31-year-old has pitched just 3 1/3 MLB innings since 2022; however, he has a career 2.89 ERA across 74 2/3 innings and could be a nice piece in the Yankees’ bullpen this season if health allows.

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.