MLB Player News

Phillies closer Ken Giles picked up his first save Saturday against the Athletics.

Giles entered with a three-run lead, and slammed the door shut. He was perfect during the inning, picking up one strikeout. Giles induced a pop out against Adam Dunn to finish off the Athletics. 

Red-hot Cardinals right-hander Shelby Miller has assured that a bruised right shin sustained Thursday against Milwaukee will not affect his preparation for his next start Tuesday against the Cubs.

Miller took a one-hopper off the bat of Ryan Braun in the sixth inning that prompted a visit from the trainer. He finished the inning before coming out of the game after 82 pitches.

The 23-year-old starter has been on a roll with four earned runs allowed in his last 34 innings pitched covering five starts.

Cardinals starter Shelby Miller turned in another quality outing but wasn't able to factor into the decision Thursday night at home against St. Louis. He allowed two runs -- one earned -- on five hits and no walks while striking out four over six innings of work.

Miller owns a 3.68 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP over 178 2 /3 innings. He will make his next start on Tuesday in Chicago against the Cubs.

Pirates closer Mark Melancon struck out one and worked his way around two hits in a scoreless ninth inning to close out a 3-2 victory over the Red Sox on Thursday. He needed 15 pitches to pick up the save. He has converted 30 of 34 save chances, with a 1.88 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP over 67 innings of relief.

Marlins pitcher Brad Hand got rocked by the Nationals at home on Thursday, dropping to 3-8 on the season. He allowed six runs -- five earned -- on eight hits and no walks while striking out four over five innings of a 6-2 defeat.

Over his last two starts covering 11 innings, Hand has allowed seven earned runs. He owns a 4.59 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP over 104 innings of work. He will make his next start Wednesday at home against Philadelphia.

The Diamondbacks are expected to shut down pitcher Daniel Hudson for the remainder of the season. Hudson is not dealing with any injuries, but the team does not want to increase the workload of Hudson, who recently returned from Tommy John surgery, per MLB.com.

Hudson will finish the season with just 2 2/3 innings of work, having allowed four runs over three appearances.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel earned his 44th save Wednesday, tossing a 1-2-3 ninth inning to finish off his team's 3-1 victory over the Nationals.

The coleader in the National League in saves, Kimbrel hadn't pitched since giving up a run one week ago in a non-save situation, but the Braves were able to end a five-game losing streak Wednesday. He owns a 1.71 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 88:25 K:BB ratio in 58 innings.

Nationals pitcher Blake Treinen didn't factor into the decision Wednesday, giving up three hits and one walk in five scoreless innings while striking out three in his team's 3-1 defeat against the Braves.

Treinen left with his team up 1-0 but watched the bullpen immediately blow the lead and fall behind in the sixth inning. He's given up a total of eight earned runs in 31 2/3 innings over his six starts, with his most recent start before Wednesday coming back in late June. Including his relief appearances, he's up to eight scoreless innings in September. Treinen owns a 1.94 ERA and 29:12 K:BB ratio in 46 1/3 innings. He's not yet scheduled for another start.

Diamondbacks pitcher Andrew Chafin wasn't a factor in Wednesday's decision, allowing two earned runs on three hits and four walks in six innings and striking out two in his team's 4-2 loss to the Giants.

Chafin gave up a run in the top of the second inning on an RBI double, but his offense responded in the bottom half of the inning with a run to tie the game. The starter then surrendered another run in the fifth on a sacrifice, but the offense picked him back up again in the next half-inning to keep the score tied. Chafin has been solid in two starts despite having an issue with free passes. He owns a 1.64 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 5:6 K:BB ratio in 11 innings. He's scheduled to face the Twins Tuesday.

The clinching of a division title Tuesday night could result in sweeping changes in the Nationals lineup Wednesday in Atlanta. Starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez has already been scratched in favor of Blake Treinen.

Treinen started five games in May and June with great success. He yielded just eight runs in 26 2/3 innings and owns a 2.35 ERA on the year despite a 1-3 record.