MLB Player News

The San Diego Padres made a series of roster moves Monday as they reinstated pitchers Casey Kelly, Jason Marquis and catcher Yasmani Grandal from the 60-day disabled list. Marquis then declared for free agency.

Infielder Ronny Cedeno and outfielder Mark Kotsay also declared free agency. Kotsay said he was going to retire back in September after 17 seasons, including two stints in San Diego. Pitcher Tommy Layne, who had been designated for assignment last week, has been outrighted to Triple-A Reno.

Kelly and Grandal are both coming off major surgeries. Kelly, the team's No. 3 prospect, according to MLB.com, had reconstructive surgery on his right elbow in April. He won't be ready for the 2014 regular season. Grandal had surgery to repair his right anterior cruciate ligament Aug. 6. He said he expects to be ready for spring training.

The Rockies and reliever Matt Belisle exercised their mutual 2014 option on Monday, according to MLB.com. Belisle is now set to earn $4.25 million next season.

Leading the team with 24 holds, Belisle pitched in 72 games this season and compiled a 4.32 ERA.

Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said he's always preferred closer Aroldis Chapman as a starter, according to MLB Network Radio .

Chapman signed with the club as a starting pitcher, but converted to a reliever during his rookie season. Over the past two seasons, he's emerged as one of the best closers in the game. Despite that, there's still some argument over whether he should start. With the Reds turning things over to new manager Bryan Price, the debate has been opened again. Jocketty said the team will "have to see what makes sense" for next season regarding Chapman's role.

Chapman had a 2.54 ERA in 63 2/3 innings. 

Cardinals starting pitcher Joe Kelly turned in a solid outing as he failed to factor into the decision in Game 3 of the World Series against the Red Sox Saturday night.

Kelly tossed four scoreless inning before allowing a run to score on a Mike Carp fielder's choice in the fifth and a run-scoring single to Daniel Nava in the sixth. He yielded two runs on two hits and three walks while striking out six over 5 1/3 innings of a 5-4 win. 

Kelly has allowed at least two earned runs in each of his first four postseason outings. He could be an option to start in Game 7, if necessary.

The San Diego Padres have designated left-handed pitchers Colt Hynes and Tommy Layne for assigment in order to make room for Cory Luebke and Joe Wieland on the 40-man roster. 

Hynes, 28, made his major league debut in 2013, with a 9.00 ERA and 2.00 WHIP in 17 innings. he had compiled a 3.59 ERA over seven seasons in the minors, all with the Padres. 

Layne, who will be 29 next week, has pitched in the past two seasons for San Diego, producing a 2.84 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 40 games. He also recorded 31 strikeouts in 25 1/3 IP. 

Cardinals pitcher Joe Kelly has been named the starter for Game 3 of the World Series Saturday in St. Louis.

Kelly made 15 starts and 22 relief appearances for the Cardinals during the regular season, going 10-5 with a 2.69 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 79:44 K:BB ratio in 124 innings. He's made three postseason starts to date, giving up eight earned runs in 16 1/3 innings while the Cardinals have gone 1-2 in his starts.

Cardinals reliever John Axford took over Game 1 of the World Series Wednesday in the sixth inning and promptly struck out the bottom third of the order in a perfect inning of work in his team's 8-1 loss to the Red Sox.

Axford took an interesting trip to the World Series, beginning the season by blowing a save in the Brewers' first game and proceeding to surrender nine runs in 3 1/3 innings during his first four appearances. He was dealt to the Cardinals in late August and managed to close the regular season with 7 2/3 scoreless innings.

After four appearances earlier in the postseason, Axford was the first man out of the bullpen in Game 1 and turned in his first 1-2-3 inning with three strikeouts in either the regular season or postseason.

New Reds manager Bryan Price will not comment on Aroldis Chapman's role next season, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. 

Price said the team will "make that decision as we go forward." Chapman has been one of the best closers in baseball over the past few seasons, but started in the minors. In 63 2/3 innings, Chapman had a 2.54 ERA. 

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he is planning to use Shelby Miller as a long reliever in the World Series. Miller did not pitch during the six-game National League Championship Series, but he was being saved in the event that the team needed a long reliever.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said that the team is not trying to conserve the rookie's innings, as he could still pitch 14 more innings without being overworked.

Cardinals pitcher Joe Kelly gave up four earned runs on on seven hits, no walks and two home runs while striking out three in five innings as the Cardinals fell to the Dodgers, 6-4, in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series.

Kelly gave up just 10 home runs in 124 innings during the regular season and none in his previous two postseason starts, but Adrian Gonzalez gave the Dodgers the lead for good with a third-inning solo homer. Despite the loss, the Cardinals have two chances to win at home and advance to the World Series. Game 6 is scheduled for Friday.