MLB Player News

In his first start since Aug. 24, Brad Hand turned in one of his best starts of the season, tossing six shutout frames in the Marlins' 4-0 win over the Braves. Hand limited the Braves to five hits and no walks, and he struck out three batters.

Making a spot start in place of Henderson Alvarez, who is nursing an oblique injury, Hand improved his record to 3-6 while lowering his ERA to 4.45. If Alvarez is ready to reclaim his spot when his turn in the rotation comes up again, Hand will likely return to the relief role he had been filling for most of the past three weeks.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen saved his 41st game Saturday against the Diamondbacks.

Jansen entered with a three-run lead, and managed to shut the door. He gave up a double during the inning, but managed to pitch around it. Jansen did not record any strikeouts or walks. He lowered his ERA to 3.09 with the appearance. 

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel struck out one and needed 14 pitches to retired the side in order in the 10th inning to record his 43rd save of the season Saturday night against Miami. Kimbrel has converted 43 of 47 save chances, with a 1.61 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP over 56 innings of relief.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman earned his 30th save Saturday, giving up one hit and two walks while striking out two in 1 1/3 scoreless innings to finish off his team's 2-1 win over the Mets.

It wasn't easy for Chapman, who had runners on first and second with one out before a timely caught stealing put two outs on the board. After another walk, the closer was able to record the game-ending strikeout. Chapman owns a 2.36 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 89:21 K:BB ratio in 45 2/3 innings.

Mets pitcher Rafael Montero has been promoted for the final few weeks of the season, after ending his campaign at Triple-A Las Vegas.

The Mets recalled Montero Saturday, and manager Terry Collins told ESPN.com he expects to get him at least one spot start, though Montero is not expected to join the rotation full time at any point.

Montero posted a 5.23 ERA in 32 2/3 innings of work over seven appearances earlier in the season. He finished the Triple-A season with a 3.60 ERA in 80 innings, with 80 strikeouts. 

Dodgers pitcher Kenley Jansen bounced back from a dreadful outing to record his 40th save of the season Friday, in a 2-1 win over the Diamondbacks.

Jansen, who tossed 32 pitches in his blown save two days ago, was much more efficient this time around. He retired the side in order on seven pitches for his 40th save in 45 chances.

Jansen has a 3.14 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 57 1/3 innings this season, while striking out 90 batters and walking just 16.  

Marlins pitcher Brad Hand will start Sunday against the Braves, after Henderson Alvarez was officially scratched with an oblique injury Friday.

Hand was removed from the rotation last week, but the injury will force him back in for at least one turn. At this point, it is not clear how much time Alvarez is expected to miss. 

Mets pitcher Vic Black is eligible to return from the DL Monday, and manager Terry Collins told ESPN.com Friday he expects to have him activated then.

Black, who has been out since Aug. 24 with a herniated disk in his neck, tossed a bullpen session without issue Thursday. He was feeling fine Friday, a good sign for his ability to return in the coming days, assuming he can avoid a setback.  

Mets reliever Josh Edgin's elbow is feeling better after a round of cortisone shots, and he will be available out of the bullpen beginning Saturday against the Reds, the New York Daily News reports Friday.

Edgin has not pitched since Aug. 23 as a result of his elbow injury, but joined the team for this weekend's series in Cincinnati after his cortisone injection. He has a 1.40 ERA in 25 2/3 innings on the season. 

Mets pitcher Vic Black completed a 15-pitch bullpen session without any reported issues on Thursday, according to his social media account. Black is working back from a neck injury and is expected to throw another bullpen session on Monday.