MLB Player News

Rockies closer John Axford fell to 1-2 on the season during Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Angels. 

Axford entered the game in the top of the ninth inning with the game tied at 2. He allowed a one-out single and one-out double before loading the bases with an intentional walk.

He struck out Efren Navarro before Johnny Giavotella singled home the go-ahead run with two outs. Axford finished off the inning by getting Kole Calhoun to ground out to second base. 

Wednesday was the third time in his last seven outings that Axford allowed at least one run. He has a 9.53 ERA in his last seven appearances, which includes two losses and one blown save.

Rockies starting pitcher Chris Rusin was solid on Wednesday against the Angels. His only problem was -- like most of the league -- he struggled to contain Mike Trout.

Rusin made two mistake during his six innings of work, and both of them came as home runs on the end of Trout's bat. Rusin allowed just five hits and two earned runs while striking out and walking two batters.

Rusin (3-3) has a 4.13 ERA in 52 1/3 innings this season.

Pedro Strop was forced to close Wednesday for the Cubs after Jason Motte was used in both ends of the Tuesday doubleheader.

Instead of closing, Strop opened the door for the Cardinals to win and they bashed their way right in.

He entered with a 6-5 lead in the ninth and promptly retired the first two batters. But he walked Matt Carpenter and surrendered a home run to Jhonny Peralta to disappoint the Wrigley Field fans.

Strop had yielded just one run in his previous 15 2/3 innings pitched.

The overwork of closer Mark Melancon gave Pirates reliever Antonio Bastardo a shot to close Wednesday against San Diego - and he cashed in for his first save of the year.

Bastardo allowed a walk to open the ninth before retiring the last three, including Melvin Upton and Will Middlebrooks on strikeouts.

Melancon had pitched in four games over the last six days.

Pirates pitcher Mark Melancon recorded the final three outs in the ninth inning during Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Padres to earn the save.

It was his 28th save of the season. He allowed one hit and struck out one during the appearance. He has saved 28 of his 29 save chances this season.

Mets pitcher Rafael Montero has been able to long toss and he may begin throwing bullpen sessions, reports The Star-Ledger. Montero has been sidelined since April 28 with a shoulder injury.

It's too early to determine if the mini-slump of Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen has ended, but he did manage his first scoreless performance since June 28 on Monday night.

Jansen had endured three straight appearances in which he allowed a run before blanking Philadelphia for his 14th save. But it wasn't easy. He yielded a walk and single to start the ninth before retiring three straight, fanning Domonic Brown and Andres Blanco in the process.

His ERA has been lowered a bit to a still-strong 1.82.

The Phillies recalled reliever Hector Neris from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday. Neris has made two relief appearances in 2015 for Philadelphia, tossing 2 2/3 scoreless innings.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman recorded his 17th save of the season in Monday's win over Washington. 

Chapman pitched a scoreless ninth to protect a one-run lead and convert his eighth save opportunity in a row. 

Chapman hasn't allowed a run in his 10 appearances and hasn't surrendered a hit in his last four. 

The National League All Star reserves and pitchers were announced on Monday evening, and there was no room for the reigning National League MVP.

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw was not selected for the All Star team, although he's one of five candidates to take the final spot on the roster in the Final Vote. 

Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant made the team as an injury replacement for the Marlins' Giancarlo Stanton. Bryant is one of two rookies on the team, along with Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson. 

The Pirates sent two starting pitchers to the All Star team for the first time since 1960. MLB wins leader Gerrit Cole and fellow Pittsburgh starter A.J. Burnett will both be making their first appearance. 

National League reserves are:

Catchers: Yasmani Grandal, Dodgers; Yadier Molina, Cardinals
First basemen: Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers; Anthony Rizzo, Cubs
Second basemen: DJ LeMahieu, Rockies; Joe Panik, Giants
Third basemen: Nolan Arenado, Rockies; Kris Bryant, Cubs
Shortstop: Brandon Crawford, Giants
Outfielders: Andrew McCutchen, Pirates; Joc Pederson, Dodgers; A.J. Pollock, Diamondbacks; Justin Upton, Padres

National League pitchers are:

Madison Bumgarner, Giants; A.J. Burnett, Pirates; Aroldis Chapman, Reds; RHP: Gerrit Cole, Pirates; Jacob deGrom, Mets; Zack Greinke, Dodgers; Mark Melancon, Pirates; Shelby Miller, Braves; Jonathan Papelbon, Phillies; Francisco Rodriguez, Brewers; Trevor Rosenthal, Cardinals; Max Scherzer, Nationals; Michael Wacha, Cardinals

The five candidates for the Final Vote are:

Johnny Cueto, Reds; Jeurys Familia, Mets; Carlos Martinez, Cardinals; Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers; Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies