Baseball notes: Greg Holland out, Wade Davis in as Royals closer

Kansas City Royals reliever Greg Holland walks off the field after giving up a game-winning RBI single to Detroit Tigers shortstop Dixon Machado during a game on Sept. 18.

By Wire reports

Sept. 22, 2015 5:52 PM PT

Greg Holland will not finish the season as Kansas City’s closer, Manager Ned Yost said. Setup man Wade Davis will move into the role for the runaway AL Central leaders. Holland, fifth in the AL with 32 saves, has a sore elbow.

He has blown five saves, the velocity of his fastball has declined from 96 mph to the upper 80s, and his ERA is 3.83. Last year he had 46 saves, a 1.44 ERA and was named the AL’s top reliever.

Molina vows return

St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina said he plans to return before the end of the regular season despite a slight ligament tear in his left thumb. “I was expecting worse,” he said. “. . . No surgery. That was good news.”

Etc.

Pete Mackanin, Philadelphia’s interim manager since Ryan Sandberg was fired in June, will manage the Phillies next year, the team said.

Detroit sent struggling closer Bruce Rondon home for the rest of the season. Manager Brad Ausmus cited his “effort level.”

Former big league manager Manny Acta interviewed for Miami’s managing job, the latest indication the Marlins do not plan to retain Dan Jennings.