MLB Player News

Mets pitcher Rafael Montero was able to throw on Tuesday and hopes to throw off the mound on Wednesday, according to ESPN.com.

Montero is currently on the 15-day DL with a shoulder injury and has not thrown since going on the disabled list on April 30. Montero is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in 10 innings of work this season.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman gave up the go-ahead run in the ninth inning on Monday in Cincinnati's 5-4 loss to the Rockies.

Chapman, in a non-save situation, allowed the first two batters of the inning to reach safely, putting runners on first and third with no outs. Then, Chapman allowed a sacrifice fly to Nolan Arenado to give Colorado the lead. Chapman would strikeout the final two batters to end the inning.

Chapman, now 2-3, moved his ERA to 1.86 in 19 1/3 innings of work.

Mets pitcher Vic Black tossed one scoreless inning on Monday for Double-A Binghamton as a part of his rehab assignment. Black, who is currently on the 15-day DL with a shoulder/neck injury, did not allow a hit or a walk with one strikeout in his appearance.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen worked a perfect ninth inning in Los Angele's 6-3 win over the Braves on Monday, earning his fourth save of the season.

Jansen came on in relief of Chris Hatcher, who allowed a run on two hits before getting pulled in the inning. Jansen enduced three groundball outs, one of which scored a run (charged to Hatcher) to end the game. Jansen maintained his perect 0.00 ERA in five innings of work.

Padres pitcher Brandon Maurer has not allowed a run in his last 10 outings and pitching coach Darren Balsley said Maurer has found his role in the seventh inning, reports MLB.com.

"I think it's one of the most pivotal innings in baseball… especially when you have the lead," Balsley said.

Maurer has only surrendered four hits over his last 11 games and he has a 2.14 ERA on the season.

"He's doing a really good job," Padres manager Bud Black said. "With each successful outing he gains that confidence. This guy has good stuff; fastball, slider, changeup. I think he found early Major League niche in the bullpen with the Mariners. We've continued that role here. This guy has a good arm and pitches."

Pirates closer Mark Melancon worked a perfect ninth inning in Pittsburgh's 4-2 win over the Marlins on Monday, earning his 11th save of the season.

Melancon needed just 13 pitches to get through the inning, forcing two groundball outs and one fly out. Melancon lowered his ERA to 3.00 in 21 innings of work. Melancon has not allowed a run in his last five appearances and just one in his last eight.

Rockies closer John Axford worked a nearly perfect inning on Monday in Colorado's 5-4 win over the Reds, earning his seventh save of the season.

Axford worked through the first two hitters with ease, needing just three pitches. After a walk to Todd Frazier, Axford finished things off by getting Jay Bruce to pop out to center field. Axford lowered his ERA to 0.82 in 11 innings of work. 

Brewers pitcher Jimmy Nelson took a loss on Sunday, allowing two earned runs on five hits and five walks in 5 2/3 innings while striking out four in his team's 2-1 defeat against the Braves.

Despite his wildness, Nelson (2-5) was able to string together five scoreless innings before the Braves took a 2-0 lead in the sixth. It's the second time this season he's walked five batters in a game and his second straight start with at least four walks.

Nelson owns a 3.67 ERA and 47:23 K:BB ratio in 56 1/3 innings. He's slated to face the Diamondbacks at home on Saturday.

Rockies relief pitcher John Axford worked a nearly perfect ninth inning on Saturday in Colorado's 5-3 win over the Giants, earning his sixth save of the season.

After allowing a leadoff single, Axford managed to get a fly out to center field, who then doubled off the baserunner trying to advanced to third. Axford then forced a groundout to end the game. Axford lowered his ERA to 0.90 in 10 innings of work.

Cubs reliever Pedro Strop picked up his first save of the season in the 9-6 win over the Diamondbacks on Saturday. Manager Joe Maddon decided to give regular closer Hector Rondon the night off, so Strop was tabbed to close out the game.

The right-hander tossed a perfect ninth inning, striking out one, to pick up the sixth save of his career. He now has four straight scoreless outings under his belt.