MLB Player News

Rival teams are salivating over the possibility of Reds closer Aroldis Chapman being available at the trade deadline, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

"Most days he's unhittable," an AL scout said.

The lefty reliever is in the final year of his contract and will be arbitration eligible after the season. He won't be a free agent until after the 2016 season, per Baseball-Reference.com.

Despite only surrendering one run during Thursday's game against the Giants, Braves pitcher Shelby Miller received a loss for his effort.

Miller (5-2) tossed seven solid innings and allowed one run on five hits during the 7-0 loss. He did not walk a batter and struck out one, which tied his season low. His lone mistake was giving up a home run to Brandon Belt in the sixth inning. It was the first home run hit off Miller since April 30.

"Tough hit to give up at that point of the ballgame. I can't do that right there," Miller said. "I'm taking the blame on that loss."

The quality start was his eighth in a row. Miller has allowed a total of four runs in his last five starts. His next expected start is scheduled for Tuesday at Arizona.

Padres closer Craig Kimbrel picked up his 12th save on Wednesday, giving up one hit and striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning to shut the door on his team's 5-4 win over the Angels.

Kimbrel was able to record two quick outs before surrendering a single to Johnny Giavotella, who was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a double. The Padres closer owns a 5.00 ERA and 26:7 K:BB ratio in 18 innings.

Rockies closer John Axford tossed a perfect ninth inning Wednesday against the Reds for his eighth save during a 6-4 win.

Axford opened the inning by getting Tucker Barnhart to fly out to right field. He then struck out Brandon Phillips before getting Billy Hamilton to ground out to end the game.

The veteran right-hander has not allowed a run in his last seven innings. He's given up just two runs and three walks in that span. Axford is a perfect 8 for 8 in save opportunities.

Marlins starting pitcher Brad Hand handled the Pirates for five innings. He held them to just four hits and no runs before coming out of the game with a 2-0 lead.

Hand (0-1) threw just 74 pitches and struck out two batters before being yanked out of the game.

The Marlins bullpen blew another late-game lead when Mike Dunn and Sam Dyson combined to allow five earned runs in the seventh inning, giving Hand a no-decision.

It was just another day at the office for Pirates closer Mark Melancon on Wednesday. The reliever entered closed out the ninth inning of his team's 5-2 win over the Marlins and recorded his 12th save of the season.

Melancon threw 17 pitches in the ninth and allowed a single to Adeiny Hechavarria before closing out the side. He has not allowed a run in his last six appearances. 

Brewers reliever Will Smith's appeal of an eight-game suspension has been pushed to next week and will be done in person, he said Wednesday, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. An MLB rep will come to Milwaukee to conduct the hearing.

Smith was handed an eight-game suspension last week after he was ejected from a May 21 outing against the Braves for having a foreign substance on his arm.

The Marlins will turn to pitcher Brad Hand to start Wednesday's game at Pittsburgh, the team announced.

Hand has appeared in 14 games this season and produced a 5.48 ERA over 23 innings of work.

Diamondbacks pitcher Daniel Hudson was hit in the jaw by a line drive during batting practice Monday, reports The Arizona Republic.

Despite suffering the injury, Hudson is available to pitch in Tuesday's game after not showing any concussion symptoms.

Mets manager Terry Collins said on Tuesday pitcher Vic Black is not far from rejoining the club, the team announced.

Black, who is currently on the 15-day DL with a shoulder and neck injury, threw one inning for Double-A Binghamton on Monday. He has made seven rehab appearances so far, but has not pitched in the majors since 2014 when he posted a 2-3 record with a 2.60 ERA in 34 2/3 innings of work.