MLB Player News

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen had little trouble setting down the Marlins in order Tuesday, in a 6-4 win. 

Jansen needed 12 pitches to finish off a perfect ninth inning, throwing 11 of them for strikes. He struck out one batter, while picking up one groundball and one flyball out each.

Jansen now has 20 saves in 23 chances, with a 2.01 ERA and 0.81 WHIP for the season. 

Pirates reliever Mark Melancon recorded his eighth save Monday night in San Diego. Now the team's full-time closer, Melancon didn't have a clean inning.

Melancon gave up a run on two hits in the ninth, but struck out two batters and held down the victory over the Padres. His ERA is 0.93 on the season.

The 28-year-old gave up his first earned run since July 21 in Monday's save. Still, he's gone 8 for 10 thus far for the Pirates.

Cardinals starter Shelby Miller had to settle for a no-decision Monday night in Milwaukee. The starter was solid for St. Louis, but his offense didn't ignite until later in the contest.

Miller gave up just two runs on five hits and four walks over 5 1/3 innings. He wasn't as economical as he could have been as he threw 101 pitches on the night. He struck out eight batters and his ERA is at 2.98.

The 22-year-old hasn't won a start since moving to 11-7 back on Aug. 2. He is 11-8 now. Miller makes his next scheduled start on Saturday against Atlanta.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman gave up two hits in the ninth Monday at home against Arizona. Chapman still earned his 31st save.

Chapman needed just nine pitches to retire three batters in the ninth in the victory. His ERA is 3.04. He did not strike out a batter.

Chapman rebounded from giving up two runs his last time out without retiring a batter in his fifth blown save. He's struck out 86 over 50 1/3 innings this season and is 31 for 36 in save chances.

The Padres recalled reliever Brad Boxberger from Triple-A Tucson Monday. Boxberger was 0-1 with a 4.00 ERA in six relief appearances for San Diego earlier this season.

Mets manager Terry Collins said after Monday's game against the Twins pitcher Carlos Torres is "right now" lined up to start Friday's game against the Tigers. Torres, who is being used in relief, is 1-1 with a 6.43 ERA in three starts.

As of Monday morning, the Mets still haven't chosen a starter for Friday's game against the Tigers. Manager Terry Collins said it likely won't be Matt Harvey, who will receive extra rest and pitch Saturday.

Collins did list Carlos Torres and the entire Triple-A rotation sans prospect Rafael Montero as candidates to start Friday. Besides Torres, the Mets are considering Jacob deGrom, Giancarlo Alvarado, Matt Fox and Chris Schwinden, according to The Star-Ledger.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel struck out the side in the ninth inning to secure his 39th save during Sunday's 2-1 win against the Nationals. Kimbrel worked around a one-out single to Denard Span to strike out Ryan Zimmerman, Anthony Rendon and Bryce Harper.

Kimbrel hasn't allowed a run in his last 19 outings (19 innings). He has 31 strikeouts and 16 saves in that span.

With Mets starting pitcher Jenrry Mejia (elbow) landing on the disabled list Sunday, the team has an opening in its rotation for Friday against the Tigers. Mets manager Terry Collins said he hasn't named a replacement in the rotation for Mejia, but Friday's options include starting Matt Harvey on regular rest or giving Carlos Torres a spot start.

Though, Collins said letting Harvey pitch on regular rest means potentially shutting him down earlier than expected.

"More we pitch him now, less we're going to see him in September," Collins said.

Cardinals starting pitcher Joe Kelly won his fourth decision in a row Saturday, in a 4-0 victory over the Cubs. Kelly held the Cubs scoreless in his six innings of work, while allowing just four hits and three walks.

Kelly struck out six batters, matching his season high, while racking up 105 pitches.  He is now 4-3 on the season, with a 3.01 ERA heading into his next start, Thursday against the Braves.