MLB Player News

There was a shortage of quality pitching in a shootout Saturday in Milwaukee. But Reds closer Aroldis Chapman gave more than a quality performance. He was lights-out.

Chapman's fastball was clocked as high as 102 mph in a dominant ninth inning that resulted in his 25th save. He fanned Elian Herrera and Jean Segura to end it.

The fine effort came at a good time for Chapman, who had been struggling a bit. He had given up nine hits and five walks over his previous eight innings.

Phillies reliever Ken Giles recorded his 11th save of the season on Saturday against the Padres.

Giles closed out the ninth inning of his team's victory with ease, not allowing a hit or walk in the process. He now has an impressive 1.53 ERA this season.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen recorded his 26th save of the season on Friday against the Cubs.

Jansen closed out the ninth inning of his team's win, not allowing a run or a hit while recording a strike out. He now has a 2.45 ERA this year.

Reds starter Raisel Iglesias showed how dominant he can be during his start against the Brewers on Friday.

Iglesias allowed three runs on four hits in seven innings of work. His most impressive feat was the 10 strikeouts he recorded.

With the loss, Iglesias dropped to 3-6 on the season with a 3.92 ERA.

Pirates closer Mark Melancon continued to dominate late in the game on Friday against the Rockies.

Melancon closed out the ninth inning of his team's win without allowing a hit, earning his league-leading 42nd save of the season. He has a remarcable 1.45 ERA this year.

The Rockies called up pitcher Jason Gurka on Friday and sent down pitcher Tommy Kahnle, reports MLB.com. Meanwhile, the team also designated pitcher Kenny Roberts for assignment.

Cardinals reliever Matt Belisle gave himself a positive report after a recent throwing session as he rehabs from right elbow inflammation.

"I had a great long-toss session and a great mound session," he told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "I did real well today throwing all my pitches on flat ground and I'll be back on the mound tomorrow, so we're rolling."

The veteran right-hander had performed well before going down in late June. If maintained, his 3.00 ERA would be his lowest since 2010.

Diamondbacks starter Rubby De La Rosa was not very effective in his outing against the Cardinals on Thursday. The young right-hander allowed five runs on five hits over five innings. He walked four and struck out four in the 5-3 loss.

De La Rosa (11-6, 4.46 ERA) fell into an early hole in this one. He allowed a solo home run to Tony Cruz in the first inning, and then watched two more runs score on him in the second.

The D-Backs were able to tie the game in the bottom of the second, and De La Rosa put up goose eggs over the next two frames. But he served up a two-run home run to Brandon Moss in the fifth inning, and that would be the final blow for either side.

De La Rosa had been pitching well in August, as Thursday was the first time in five starts that he allowed more than three runs. He had won each of his last five decisions prior to Thursday's outing.

Diamondbacks pitcher Daniel Hudson was lifted from Thursday's game against the Cardinals due to a cut on his finger. Hudson suffered the injury while fielding a comebacker in the top of the ninth inning. 

Hudson went 1 1/3 innings, allowing a hit and striking out a batter with no runs allowed. 

Right-handed reliever Carlos Torres was one of the heroes of the game for the Mets, as they went on to beat the Phillies 9-5 in 13 innings on Thursday. Torres shined with his arm, his glove, his bat and his speed in this one.

On the mound, Torres tossed 2 1/3 scoreless ball, allowing just one hit. He also made a couple of athletic plays, including a sprint to first base to beat Jeff Francoeur on a deflected ground ball.

At the plate, Torres reached on an infield single and scored the Mets' go-ahead run in the 13th, as he picked up his fifth win of the season. Overall, it was an impressive evening for the right-hander, as the Mets completed the four-game sweep of the Phillies.