MLB Player News

Pirates closer Mark Melancon earned his 28th save Wednesday, striking out one in a 1-2-3 ninth inning to finish off his team's 6-3 victory over the Phillies.

Melancon has posted perfect innings in four of his last six appearances, and he's surrendered only three earned runs since the All-Star break. The closer owns a 2.00 ERA and 61:10 K:BB ratio in 63 innings.

Mets pitcher Rafael Montero tossed a strong start Wednesday against the Rockies. 

Montero allowed three hits over 5 1/3 scoreless innings. He struck out seven and walked four during the outing. Walks were clearly an issue for Montero, and kept him from pitching deep into the game. He was pulled after throwing 106 pitches during the sixth inning. Though he departed with two men on base, the Mets were able to get out of the jam, keeping Montero’s stat line clean.

With the win, Montero improved to 1-3. He’ll take on the Marlins in his next start. 

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman retired the only batter he faced Tuesday to earn a save in his team's 9-5 win over the Cardinals.

Chapman entered the game with runners on the corners in the ninth inning and struck out the only batter he faced to end the game, though it took 11 pitches to get the out. The closer owns 31 saves as well as a 2.35 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 90:21 K:BB ratio in 46 innings.

Pirates pitcher Justin Wilson was hung with a loss Tuesday, giving up an earned run on two hits while striking out two in one inning in his team's 4-3 defeat against the Phillies.

Wilson (3-4) surrendered an infield single, and the runner stole second with two outs after the reliever notched a pair of strikeouts. A single by Maikel Franco brought the decisive run home. Wilson hadn't allowed a run since Aug. 16, but he still owns a 4.23 ERA and 56:29 K:BB ratio in 55 1/3 innings.

The Brewers have moved pitcher Jimmy Nelson to the bullpen, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Nelson has done a solid job in the rotation but has managed to complete six innings just once in his last four starts. He's 2-7 with a 4.38 ERA and 52:18 K:BB ratio in 63 2/3 innings.

Mets pitcher Vic Black was activated from the disabled list prior to Monday's game against the Rockies. He took the mound in the eighth inning and allowed a solo home run to Nolan Arenado, which proved to be the difference in a 2-1 defeat. He allowed one run on one hit and one walk while striking out one over one inning of work.

Pirates closer Mark Melancon struck out one and needed 17 pitches to retire the side in order in the ninth inning to close out a 6-4 win over the Phillies. He has converted 27 of 31 save chances, with a 2.03 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP over 62 innings of relief.

For the second straight start, Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller tossed seven scoreless innings Monday. This time it resulted in a win as St. Louis beat the Reds 5-0. Miller (9-9) was very efficient, striking out four, walking none and allowing three hits.

He threw 81 pitches while lowering his ERA to 3.83. Having allowed two runs over his past 21 innings, Miller faces the Rockies at home Saturday.

Mets starting pitcher Rafael Montero, who was expected to make a spot start following his promotion from Triple-A Las Vegas earlier this month, is scheduled to make it Wednesday against the Rockies, pushing everyone else back a day. He's not expected to join the rotation full time.

Montero, a rookie, has a 5.24 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in seven appearances, including six starts.

Brewers pitcher Jimmy Nelson was hit hard in a loss to the Cardinals on Sunday, dropping to 2-7 on the season. He allowed four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three over five innings of a 9-1 defeat.

Over his last four starts covering 21 2/3 innings, Nelson has allowed 13 earned runs. He owns a 4.38 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP over 11 starts (63 2/3 innings). His next start will come Saturday at home against Cincinnati.