MLB Player News

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman has switched agents, a source told Yahoo Sports. Chapman is leaving Hendricks Sports for Relativity Sports, according to the report.

Chapman is eligible to become a free agent after the 2016 season.

The Pirates designated two relievers for assignment Saturday, removing pitchers John Axford and Jeanmar Gomez from the 40-man roster.

The moves clear spots for Justin Sellers, who was acquired via trade Saturday, and Charlie Morton, who was activated from the 60-day disabled list. Axford posted a 4.09 ERA and 12:6 K:BB ratio in 11 innings after being acquired in a trade from the Indians in mid-August. Gomez posted a 3.19 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 38:23 K:BB ratio in 62 innings.

Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller wasn't a factor in the decision Wednesday, giving up three earned runs on six hits and two walks in 3 2/3 innings while striking out three in his team's 6-4 loss to the Giants in Game 4 of the NLCS.

Miller surrendered a sacrifice fly in the first inning and was touched up for two more runs in the third. He was pulled with two outs and one on in the fourth after throwing just 65 pitches in the start but left with the lead. The teams head into Thurdsay's Game 5 of the NLCS with the Giants ahead 3-1.

The Cardinals announced starting pitcher Adam Wainwright will start in Game 1 of the NLCS against the Giants. He will be followed by Lance Lynn, John Lackey and Shelby Miller, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Cardinals coach Mike Matheny said Wainwright is perfectly fine heading into the NLCS. There was concern Lynn might have had to start the NLCS opener, if Wainwright was unavailable due to soreness or stiffness.

Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller didn't factor into the decision Tuesday, giving up two earned runs on five hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings while striking out four, but the Cardinals came through with a 3-2 Game 4 win to send the team to the National League Championship Series.

Miller turned in five scoreless innings before the Dodgers opened up the sixth with back-to-back singles, and while the St. Louis starter was able to coax a double play out of the next batter, the first run of the game came home on the play. Miller then hit a batter and walked the subsequent batter before being pulled, and one of the runners left on base came around to score. Though the starter was on the hook for the loss, a seventh-inning three-run blast gave the Cardinals the lead and ultimately the series-clinching win.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny announced the team's rotation for NLDS against the Dodgers. Adam Wainwright will pitch in the series opener, and he will be followed by Lance Lynn, John Lackey and Shelby Miller.

Michael Wacha will be pitching out of the bullpen for St. Louis.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel struck out one and worked his way around a walk and a hit in a scoreless ninth inning to close out a 4-2 victory over the Phillies. He has converted 46 of 50 save chances, with a 1.63 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP over 60 2/3 innings of relief.

Pirates pitcher John Axford was hung with a loss Saturday, allowing three earned runs on one hit and two walks in one-third of an inning in his team's 10-6 walkoff defeat against the Reds.

Axford (2-4) loaded the bases in the bottom of the 10th inning before being removed from the game, and the next pitcher in surrendered a walkoff grand slam to hand the Pirates a loss. Axford owns a 3.95 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 63:36 K:BB ratio in 54 2/3 innings.

The Brewers scratched Matt Garza Friday due to shoulder tightness. Jimmy Nelson will step in for a spot start against the Cubs at Miller Park, per MLB.com.

Nelson was moved to the bullpen earlier in the month after rosters expanded. He is 2-8 with a 4.57 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP over 65 innings of work.

Nationals right-hander Blake Treinen had been pitching well leading up Thursday - but he certainly took a pounding by the visiting Mets.

Treinen allowed four runs on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings and was saved from a loss only by a Washington comeback. He walked one and struck out one. The big blow was a two-run double by Daniel Murphy in the fifth inning.