MLB Player News

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen struck out two during a 1-2-3 ninth inning to finish off a 2-0 win over the Royals Tuesday.

Much like the man he replaced, Jansen dominated the Royals hitters to move Clayton Kershaw to 8-2. The closer has found his groove in his last two outings, striking out five of the six batters he faced and retiring the other on a groundball. Jansen owns a 4.13 ERA and 55:11 K:BB ratio in 32 2/3 innings.

Pirates closer Mark Melancon picked up his 13th save Tuesday after giving up two earned runs on three hits in the ninth inning of his team's 6-5 win over the Rays.

The Pirates had a three-run lead when Melancon took the mound, and they wound up needing it, as he gave up a two-run single after a wild pitch put both of the previous batters to get a hit in scoring position. He's now surrendered three runs in his last two outings, but he delivered a save in each. Melancon owns a 2.48 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 33:6 K:BB ratio in 36 1/3 innings.

Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller has been diagnosed with back tightness after exiting in the third inning of Tuesday's game against the Rockies, the team announced.

Miller gave up three earned runs on six hits and five walks in 2 2/3 innings while striking out two. All three of the runs he allowed came in the first inning. Miller owns a 3.75 ERA and 66:46 K:BB ratio in 93 2/3 innings. His status for Sunday's scheduled start against the Dodgers is up in the air.

Diamondbacks pitcher Daniel Hudson will probably begin a rehab assignment in August before returning to the major-league team in September, FOXSportsArizona.com reports.

Hudson threw 20 pitches in a simulated game Tuesday as he continues to work his way back from multiple elbow surgeries. His last game action came back in June 2012.

Cardinals pitcher (hamstring) Joe Kelly is scheduled to make his first rehab start Friday for Triple-A Memphis and will throw up to 60 pitches, reports Fox Sports. The website said Kelly might need only two rehab starts before rejoining the rotation.

Diamondbacks pitcher Daniel Hudson (elbow) is scheduled to pitch off a mound Tuesday against outfielder Mark Trumbo (foot), per The Arizona Republic. Although they are getting closer to returning, the Diamondbacks continue to be cautious with both players.

"They're taking extra time the second time (with Hudson)," manager Kirk Gibson said, "and although Trumbo feels good and wants to go-go-go, medically I think there's enough experience that if you go too fast you go backwards. So you have to be cautious about that."

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth inning, striking out the side, to nail down a 2-1 win over the Padres on Sunday. Jansen earned his 22nd save in 25 chances while lowering his ERA to 4.26.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman earned his 13th save in 14 tries by striking out the side in the ninth against the Blue Jays on Sunday. In closing out the 4-3 win, Chapman lowered his ERA to 2.70 and now has 41 strikeouts in 20 innings.

Cardinals starting pitcher Joe Kelly (hamstring) remains on track to begin a rehab assignment this week after throwing two innings during a simulated game Sunday, per MLB.com. The team will decide soon where Kelly will begin his rehab assignment.

"Today you could see he trusted it and let it go," manager Mike Matheny said. "He came in with a lot of bounce [after throwing]. He was extremely excited about how he felt."

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen secured his 21st save Saturday, giving up one hit and striking out one while pitching a scoreless ninth inning in his team's 4-2 win over the Padres.

Jansen took a loss Friday after giving up three earned runs, but he was able to rebound with a solid frame one day later. He's had trouble keeping teams off the scoreboard, posting a 4.40 ERA along with a 50:11 K:BB ratio in 30 2/3 innings.