MLB Player News

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman earned a win Thursday, striking out two in a 1-2-3 ninth inning in his team's 3-2 victory over the Pirates.

Chapman (1-0) tossed a scoreless ninth with the score tied 2-2, and the Reds were able to push across an unearned run in the bottom of the ninth to pick up the win. The Reds' closer has racked up five strikeouts in three scoreless innings while recording one win and one save.

The Orioles have traded catcher Brian Ward  and relief pitcher Ryan Webb to the Dodgers for pitcher Ben Rowen and catcher Chris O'Brien on Thursday, reports CSNBaltimore.com. The Dodgers will also receive a competitive balance pick from the Orioles.

Ward, who was catching for Triple-A Norfolk, was expected to be an option as a backup catcher with the team prior to the trade. Webb posted an ERA of 6.75 in 6 2/3 innings pitched, giving up eight hits with six strikeouts and two walks this spring.

Rowen finished the spring with a 5.40 ERA, giving up five hits and striking out one batter. O'Brien spent spring training with Double-A Chattanooga in 2014.

Nationals right-hander Blake Treinen was summoned in the eighth inning of Wednesday's game against the Mets, followed by Drew Storen in the ninth to close out a 2-1 victory.

With Tyler Clippard traded to Oakland in the offseason, the Nationals were left without a clear right-handed option as a setup man to start the season. Manager Matt Williams indicated that his plan was to use Treinen coming into the game, per MLB.com. Treinen entered in the eighth and tossed a scoreless frame to help secure the win for Washington.

It was Treinen's 16th career big-league appearance, and he revealed he revealed he'll need to get adjusted to working more high-leverage situations.

"Even last year in the bullpen, I didn't really come in for one-run leads," Treinen said. "So its still new, but I enjoyed it.

"It's something I'll get adjusted to. I don't think it bothers me. I enjoy those moments."

Phillies relief pitcher Ken Giles reiterated that he's "physically fine" and that there is "nothing wrong" with him, per MLB.com.

Giles struggled in his season debut Wednesday night against the Red Sox. He entered with a four-run lead, but was pulled with the bases loaded, two outs and a slim two-run advantage. 

Giles' fastball sat in the 98-100 mph range in 2014. On Wednesday, he topped at 96 mph.

"He's just been down in his velocity," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. "We'll just have to see. He said he feels fine."

Giles acknowledged that he'll make some changes to his approach moving forward.

"You know what? I've just got to make adjustments, and I didn't make adjustments tonight," Giles said. "So I've got to continue doing that."

Rockies pitcher John Axford earned his first save of the season in the team's 5-4 win over the Brewers. 

Axford, who entered the game due to a blown-save opportunity by closer LaTroy Hawkins, finished off the game by striking out one batter and did not give up a hit during his time on the mound.

Rockies pitcher Adam Ottavino is known as the fireballer out of Colorado's bullpen. But the reliever wants to be more just just another flamethrower, reports MLB.com.

"That's my whole method of pitching, being tricky, mixing it up and improvising out there," Ottavino said. "That's fun for me. The game is that inner strategy, against the hitter, giving him what he doesn't want."

Manager Walt Weiss likes the versatility Ottavino gives him in matchups.

"He gives you an opportunity to match up; he's so deadly against right-handed hitters," Weiss said. "He's been better against lefties, too. He's made some adjustments. But the fact you can pick and choose whne you use him, it's a luxury."

Braves pitcher Shelby Miller threw five scoreless innings in a 2-0 win over the Marlins on Wednesday. Miller gave up four hits with two strikeouts, walking only two batters.

Miller's next start is at home against the Marlins on Tuesday.

Craig Kimbrel made his Padres debut in a non-save situation against the Dodgers on Tuesday. 

Kimbrel was summoned in the bottom of the ninth after his team broke a 3-all tie with four runs in the top of the ninth. He struck out Andre Ethier, Joc Pederson and Justin Turner swinging to secure a 7-3 victory. Of his 16 pitches, 10 were strikes.

Diamondbacks pitcher Rubby De La Rosa served up home runs to Buster Posey and Brandon Crawford, but still managed to escape with a win despite a rough outing against the Giants on Tuesday.

De La Rosa, who made his season debut, was shelled for six runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out five over 5 1/3 innings of a 7-6 victory. Of his 92 pitches, 56 were strikes. He starts the year with a 10.13 ERA.

De La Rosa will make his second start of the year Monday at San Diego. He went 1-5 with a 5.40 ERA last season away from home as a member of the Red Sox.

Padres closer Craig Kimbrel acknowledged he was caught off guard on Sunday when he was traded from Atlanta to San Diego before Opening Day, per MLB.com.

"It did catch me a little off-guard," Kimbrel said. "It was shocking that it was a day before Opening Day, and it wasn't something you are expecting.

"You can tell this organization is going after it, it's not a few-years deal, it's right now. As a player, that's exciting," Kimbrel said. "You don't know how long you're going to play this game.
"[Being here] you could tell everyone is excited ... from the front office to the players. That gets me excited. I'm ready to get the ball and get started."

Last year, Kimbrel joined Trevor Hoffman (1998-2001, 2004-07) and Francisco Rodriguez (2005-08) as the only pitchers to secure 40-plus saves in four consecutive seasons. No closer has reached 40-plus saves in five straight seasons.

"What he's done in his career, the last four years, speaks for itself. He's a legitimate ninth-inning guy. A four-time All-Star, a big arm, an impact bullpen guy. ... He makes us better," manager Bud Black said. "When it first came to pass, it jars you a little bit. You feel good about it and you feel good about it for the team. It's a big lift to us in a lot of ways."