MLB Player News

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman suffered his fifth blown save as was charged with the loss Friday night against the Brewers. The right-hander failed to record an out as he served up a walkoff, two-run home run to Jonathan Lucroy. He allowed two runs on two hits in a 7-6 defeat.

Chapman has allowed five runs over his last 7 2/3 innings pitched. He is 30 of 35 in save chances with a 3.10 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman notched his 30th save of the season Thursday night against the Brewers. The right-hander worked his way around a walk as he struck out two and needed only 18 pitches to secure a 2-1 win.

Chapman has not allowed a run over his last five innings pitched. He is 30 of 34 in save chances with a 2.74 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP. It is his second consecutive season with 30-plus saves.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel was called upon to protect a three-run lead after David Carpenter allowed a solo home run and a walk in the ninth inning of Wednesday's game against the Phillies, and Kimbrel needed just seven pitches to record three outs, including one strikeout, and pick up his NL-leading 38th save.

Since Kimbrel last allowed an earned run on July 4, he has pitched 16 scoreless innings, surrendering just five hits and five walks while striking out 28 batters. He owns a 1.14 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 74:17 K:BB ratio in 47 1/3 innings.

Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller started Wednesday's game against the Pirates as expected, allowing five runs (three earned) on eight hits and two walks while striking out five and allowing two home runs in six innings in his team's 5-1 loss.

Miller was removed from his previous start a week prior to Wednesday's game after taking a batted ball off his pitching elbow, but it didn't cost him any time. He owns an 11-8 record, 2.97 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 137:37 K:BB ratio heading into Monday's meeting with the Brewers.

Pirates reliever Mark Melancon blew his first save since taking over as the team's closer Tuesday against the Cardinals.

Melancon, who had been perfect in five prior attempts, allowed the Cardinals to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth, though it was not entirely his fault. Pirates outfielder Startling Marte dropped a flyball that allowed a runner to reach with one out, and that runner would go on to score the tying run, after a walk and a hit.

Melancon was charged with one unearned run, while picking up a strikeout and a walk in the inning. He is five for six in save chances since Jason Grilli went to the disabled list, allowing just the one unearned run in eight innings in that span. 

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen endured a shaky outing but escaped with his 19th save of the season Tuesday night against the Mets.

Jansen worked his way around a two-out single to John Buck to cut the deficit t two runs. He allowed one run on one hit and one walk over one inning of work in a 4-2 win. He is 18 of 21 in save chances with a 1.96 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel collected his 37th save of the season Tuesday night against the Phillies.

The right-hander needed only nine pitches as he worked his way around a one-out single to Chase Utley and struck out Domonic Brown to preserve a 3-1 victory. He is 37 for 40 in save chances, with a 1.17 ERA and 0.95 ERA.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen secured a four-out save in his team's 4-2 win over the Mets Monday, striking out three without allowing any runners to reach base.

Jansen continues his incredible run, having allowed just one hit and no walks in 10 1/3 innings over his last 10 appearances while striking out 18 batters. Thirteen of those 18 strikeouts have come over 5 1/3 innings in his five August appearances. Jansen owns a 1.96 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 87:9 K:BB ratio in 59 2/3 innings.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman faced three batters Monday and struck all three out in his team's 2-0 win over the Cubs. It was the second straight day in which Chapman accomplished the feat, giving him a 83:21 K:BB ratio to go along with a 2.85 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 47 1/3 innings.

The Cardinals have won five times since July 25 and three of those games have been started by Joe Kelly, including Sunday's 8-4 win against the Cibs. Kelly took the no-decision, however, as he came out in the sixth inning because his pitch count reached 96.

"It looked like he was having trouble locating his fastball," manager Mike Matheny said, per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "He was using his changeup a lot in tough counts. He’s been such a spark to us. Everything he’s been doing on the mound has been such a bonus."

Kelly is 3-0 with a 2.36 ERA and .225 opponents' batting average in his last six starts. Kelly, who began the year as a reliever, has tossed just 71 2/3 innings and isn't worn down like other starting pitchers.

"My body and my arm ... everything feels good," Kelly said. "Hopefully, I’ll stay just as strong the rest of the way out. And I think I will. I don’t feel any tiredness at all, mentally or physically."