MLB Player News

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen picked up his first save in the National League Championship Series Monday night as L.A. took home Game 3 to pull within 2-1 in the series against the Cardinals.

Jansen went 1-2-3 in the ninth inning on 16 pitches.

The closer, who had 28 saves in 32 chances this season with a 1.88 ERA, also had a save in the NLDS against the Braves. He's given up just two hits with seven strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings this postseason.

Cardinals starting pitcher Joe Kelly bounced back from a slow start and left Game 1 of the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers Friday night with a no-decision.

Kelly surrendered a two-run single to Juan Uribe in the third inning for his only damage of the night. He settled down the rest of the way through, as he yielded only two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five over six innings of work. He has allowed five runs -- four earned -- over 11 1/3 innings this postseason.

Cardinals pitcher Joe Kelly will get the start for Game 1 of the NLCS.

Kelly started Game 3 of the NLDS, giving up two earned runs in 5 1/3 inning. He received a no-decision. Kelly will be set to oppose Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke. Kelly had a 2.69 ERA in 124 innings. 

Pirates pitcher Mark Melancon gave up three earned runs on three hits and a walk while recording just two outs in his team's 6-1 loss to the Cardinals Wednesday in Game 5 of the National League Division Series.

Melancon ends his postseason with four earned runs allowed in just 3 2/3 innings of work after giving up just 11 earned runs in 71 innings during the regular season. Wednesday's walk was the first one he issued since August 13.

The Cubs outrighted six players off their 40-man roster, MLB.com reports Wednesday.

Outfielder Darnell McDonald, catcher J.C. Boscan and pitcher Trey McNutt all cleared waivers and were outrighted. Additionally, pitchers Rafael Dolis and Zach Putnam and outfielder Thomas Neal were activated from the 60-day disabled list, cleared waivers and were outrighted.

The Cardinals have not ruled out the possibility of giving pitcher Shelby Miller a start during the National League Championship Series -- if St. Louis wins Game 5 of the National League Division Series against the Pirates, MLB.com reports Tuesday.

"I'm just pretty much taking it day by day," Miller said. "[I'm] keeping it simple, because you never know what days you're going to pitch. As a starter, you kind of have an idea of when you're going to pitch. And [as a reliever], I have no idea when I'm pitching, so my routine is about as simple as it can get, and I'll adjust it from there."

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen struck out the side in the top of the ninth inning Monday night as Los Angeles defeated the Braves in the National League Division Series three games to one. 

Jansen earned his first save of the series as he needed 14 pitches to close out the Braves. He pitched in three games during the series and gave up just one hit with seven strikeouts over 2 1/3 innings. 

The 26-year-old saved 28 games in 32 chances this season for the Dodgers with a 1.88 ERA and 111 strikeouts over 76 2/3 innings. 

Pirates reliever Mark Melancon picked up his first postseason win Sunday despite a blown save in Game 3 of the NLDS against St. Louis.

Melancon served up a leadoff home run to Carlos Beltran in the top of the eighth to tie the game 3-3. It was his first home run allowed since April 14, the only one he allowed all regular season. He allowed one more hit but managed to escape further damage. The Pirates scored twice in the bottom of the frame to pick up the 5-3 victory.

Cardinals pitcher Joe Kelly took a no-decision in his first postseason start Sunday against Pittsburgh.

Kelly suffered bouts of wildness as he allowed three runs (two earned) over 5 1/3 innings. He struck out five but walked four and served up five hits. Barring emergency duty in Game 5, Kelly's NLDS is likely over.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel had a shaky outing as he picked up the save in Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Dodgers Friday night.

Kimbrel recorded the final four outs of the game for Atlanta, but not before issuing two walks in the ninth inning. He struck out two over 1 2/3 scoreless innings to preserve a 4-3 victory.