MLB Player News

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen was called upon to protect a 6-1 lead in the ninth inning of Thursday's Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Braves, and he struck out three batters while allowing one hit and one walk in a scoreless inning of work.

Twelve of Jansen's last 15 outs have come via strikeout, dating back to the regular season. He threw 25 pitches to end Thursday's win, but Saturday's travel day should keep him fresh enough to pitch whenever needed.

Cardinals pitcher Joe Kelly will draw the start for Sunday's Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Cardinals, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Kelly went 10-5 with a 2.69 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 79:44 K:BB ratio in 124 innings over 37 appearances (15 starts) in the regular season. He was even better in the second half, posting a 9-2 record with a 1.91 ERA in 13 appearances (12 starts).

Pirates batters hit .250/.337/.310 off Kelly as he went 3-1 with a 2.53 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 16:10 K:BB ratio in 21 1/3 innings against his Game 3 opponent during the regular season.

Cardinals pitcher Joe Kelly moved to 10-5 Sunday, throwing 5 1/3 scoreless innings while allowing three hits, walking none and striking out five in his team's 4-0 win over the Cubs.

Kelly didn't start this game, as the team gave Jake Westbrook what will likely be his final start in a Cardinals uniform. However, Kelly certainly earned his victory in the finale. He goes into the postseason with a 2.69 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 79:44 K:BB ratio in 124 innings.

Brewers pitcher Jimmy Nelson made his final appearance of the season Saturday, in a spot start against the Mets. 

Nelson tossed five solid innings in his first major league start, holding the Mets to one run. He allowed just one hit, while walking three, striking out four and throwing 39 of 73 pitches for strikes.

Nelson left the game with a no-decision, as the Brewers' offense struggled to get going. He finishes the season with 10 innings at the major-league level, after posting a 3.67 ERA in 83 1/3 innings for Triple-A Nashville. The 24-year-old allowed just one run in his four appearances, and could figure into the team's rotation plans in spring training. 

Rockies starter Collin McHugh was roughed up as he took the loss Friday night against the Dodgers. The right-hander, who made his final start of the season, was touched up for eight runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out three over four innings of an 11-0 defeat.

McHugh allowed six-plus runs in three of his first four starts with Colorado this season. He posted a whopping 10.04 ERA and a 1.92 WHIP over 26 innings.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel slammed the door shut on the Phillies, converting his 50th save of the season Friday night. The right-hander needed only 10 pitches as he struck out two in a 1-2-3 inning to preserve a 1-0 victory.

He became the first closer to reach he 50-save mark since Eric Gagne in 2003. Kimbrel is 50 of 54 in save situations with a 1.23 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP in 66 innings pitched.

Mets pitcher Carlos Torres tossed a solid outing but was on the wrong end of the decision Friday night against the Brewers. He allowed three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out seven over six innings of a 4-2 defeat. 

Torres allowed seven runs over his final 20 innings pitched. He finished the year 4-6 with a 3.44 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP in 86 1/3 innings pitched.

Mets manager Terry Collins told ESPN.com that Vic Black will be used in a save situation, should one arise, in Thursday's game against the Brewers.

The team's regular closer, LaTroy Hawkins, will be unavailable, as he threw 19 pitches in Wednesday's win over the Reds.

Making a spot start Wednesday, Marlins pitcher Brad Hand allowed just two earned runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out three in 6 1/3 innings against the Phillies, but he did not factor into the decision in his team's 3-2 win.

Hand has made two starts and five relief appearances for the Marlins, going 1-1 with a 3.05 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 15:8 K:BB ratio in 20 2/3 innings.

Cardinals starter Shelby Miller improved to 15-9 with a victory over Washington on Wednesday.

Miller finished with one run allowed on four hits and three walks over six innings. He only struck out three hitters and he induced just four swinging strikes, so it wasn't his sharpest outing ever, but it's a sign of his talent that he can get such good results when he isn't at his best. Miller would likely be a frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year in most other seasons -- i.e. seasons with Jose Fernandez or Yasiel Puig.