MLB Player News

Jimmy Nelson tossed a strong start Friday against the Dodgers.

Nelson allowed two runs on six hits over six innings. He struck out four and walked one during the outing. Yasiel Puig proved to be a thorn in his side throughout the night. He singled in a run in the first inning, giving the Dodgers the lead. Puig would do the same thing in the fifth inning, driving in another run.

The Brewers mounted a comeback in the eighth inning to take the lead, giving Nelson a no-decision. He fell to 2-4. Nelson will take on the Pirates in his next start.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman picked up his 26th save Friday.

Chapman entered with a one-run lead, and managed to make things interesting. With one out, Chapman put the tying run on via the walk. He managed to escape a possible jam by inducing an inning-ending lineout. 

Rockies pitcher Matt Belisle allowed one run in his surprise start Friday. 

The club scratched Franklin Morales prior to the game, which caused Belisle to step in. He lasted three innings, giving up a run on four hits. He struck out one and walked one. Belisle threw 49 pitches. He did not factor into the decision. Should Belisle get another shot in the rotation, he would take on the Marlins in his next start. 

Marlins pitcher Brad Hand couldn't pick up a win Friday against the Diamondbacks.

Hand allowed three runs on five hits over seven innings. He struck out three and walked two. Home runs proved to be an issue for Hand. Cliff Pennington hit a solo shot in the first inning. That was followed up by a two-run shot by Aaron Hill just three batters later. 

With the loss, Hand dropped to 2-5. He'll take on the Rockies in his next start.

Rockies pitcher Franklin Morales will not make his scheduled start Friday against the Reds, as he is expected to birth of his child, the team announced.

Matt Belisle will make a spot start in Morales' place, but is not expected to go long. It is not yet clear how this impacts the team's rotation plans moving forward, nor when Morales' makeup start is expected to occur. 

The Pirates have acquired John Axford from the Indians, according to FoxSports.com

Axford joined Cleveland during the offseason. He posted a 3.92 ERA over 43 2/3 innings with the club. Axford will likely be a setup man for Pittsburgh.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen bent twice, but didn't break Thursday against the Braves in notching his 34th save, which ranks fourth in the National League.

Jansen was called upon in the eighth inning and promptly allowed a run-scoring single to Andrelton Simmons before fanning pinch-hitter Evan Gattis. He yielded two hits in the ninth before striking out B.J. Upton to end it.

Diamondbacks pitcher Andrew Chafin tossed five scoreless innings Wednesday against the Indians.

Chafin gave up three hits over five innings during the outing. He walked three and struck out two. Despite the strong start, Chafin was sent down following the game. The Diamondbacks are in need of a fresh arm, so Chafin was a casualty of that situation. The Diamondbacks had a tough time scoring, which gave Chafin a no-decision. He should be back with the club soon. 

The Diamondbacks called up pitcher Bradin Hagens Wednesday and optioned pitcher Andrew Chafin to Triple-A Reno.

Hagens has yet to pitch in the majors but owns a 4.12 ERA and 62:54 K:BB ratio in 115 2/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A, with only five of those innings coming at the higher level. Chafin made the start for the Diamondbacks in Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader and will head to the minors to provide the team with extra bullpen help.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel was able to record his 35th save Wednesday without allowing any runs despite having two runners on base with no outs and the bases loaded with one out.

Kimbrel was able to strike out Yasiel Puig with two men on to record his first out of the inning. After a single loaded the bases, he managed to get a game-ending double play to finish off his team's 3-2 win over the Dodgers. As a result, the closer extended his successful-conversion streak to 14 saves. Kimbrel owns a 1.88 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 80:21 K:BB ratio in 48 innings.