MLB Player News

The Pirates have optioned reliever Vic Black to Triple-A Indianapolis, MLB.com reports. After posting a 2.31 ERA in 35 innings at Indianapolis, Black allowed two runs on six hits in four MLB innings.

Joe Kelly (2-3) tossed six scoreless innings for his second victory as the Cardinals beat the Pirates Thursday night at PNC Park. The right-hander permitted three hits and four walks while striking out four in an 13-0 victory.

Kelly has allowed only two earned runs over his last 12 2/3 innings pitched. He is scheduled to make his next start Tuesday at home against the Dodgers. He owns a 4.13 ERA over 11 appearances (two starts) at home.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen struck out the side on 12 pitches in the ninth to convert his 15th save of the season Thursday night against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Jansen has converted eight consecutive saves since suffering a blown save on June 29. His ERA has dropped from 2.41 to 2.11 over that span. The right-hander has yet to allow a run over his last six innings pitched.

Mets pitcher Carlos Torres, who is currently part of a six-man rotation, tossed a scoreless inning of relief Wednesday at Miami. Manager Terry Collins said he doesn't plan to make using starters in a relief role between starts the norm, but he needed Torres because Bobby Parnell and LaTroy Hawkins were unavailable, according to ESPN.

Torres is still scheduled to start Saturday against the Royals.

Pirates reliever Mark Melancon picked up his third save in a week Wednesday, as he closed out a 5-4 win over the Cardinals.

Melancon tossed a perfect ninth in the game, striking out one hitter and retiring the side on 11 pitches. He now has three saves in three chances since being given the closer's role, to go with his 0.88 ERA and National League-leading 26 holds. 

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman was called on to close out Wednesday's game against the Padres, after starter Homer Bailey faltered in the ninth.

Chapman, who entered the game with a runner on second and a three-run lead with one out, quickly retired two hitters to finish the game. He struck out one batter and ended the inning in 12 pitches for his 25 save in 29 chances.

Chapman ranks fifth in the National League in saves, while posting a 2.98 ERA. 

Despite the signing of Brian Wilson, a former All-Star closer who saved 48 games in 2010, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly does not think Kenley Jansen's job is in trouble. Mattingly told MLB.com he expects Wilson to pitch in a set up role, with Jansen remaining the closer.

"[Wilson's] going to earn whatever he gets," Mattingly said. "We want to put him in a position to have success. Kenley is going to get the ball in the ninth and everyone else is going to get the ball to him."

Jansen has 14 saves and a 2.15 ERA on the season, with 74 strikeouts in 54 1/3 innings. 

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen (4-3) struck out two and pitched a perfect ninth inning as he earned the win Tuesday night against the Yankees. The right-hander needed 15 pitched to retire the side in order while the offense won the game in the bottom of the ninth.

Jansen has not surrendered a run over his last five appearances. He owns a 2.15 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP through 54 1/3 innings pitched.

Pedro Strop had compiled a 0.00 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 11.0 strikeouts per nine innings in his first 12 appearances with the Cubs after coming over from the Orioles in early July, earning him manager Dale Sveum's endorsement as the next in line to close if the Cubs traded Kevin Gregg.

And then came Monday night against Brewers, when he allowed five earned runs on three hits and one walk in one-third of an inning.

Well, whatever. He's still next in line to close, in all probability, just because the Cubs have no one else who fits the bill. Plus, if they've viewed him as a closer candidate all along -- and considering they traded for him, I'm guessing they have -- one bad outing wouldn't change their minds.

So yes, I still view Strop as a sleeper for saves, if not the best sleeper for saves considering the Cubs have no incentive whatsoever to hold on to Gregg.

So ... the Dodgers are the winners of the Brian Wilson derby, if you could call it that, and that's fine. Whenever he's ready to come up from the minors, they could use the help. But it doesn't do much for his Fantasy value since they obviously don't need a closer.

Or do they?

Well, no, they don't. But I would have said the same thing with Kenley Jansen cruising in the role at this time last year, before Brandon League entered the picture. He did his best to muddy the waters, even confining Jansen to a setup role to begin 2013.

Maybe the Dodgers have learned from that experience and will just stick Jansen, who's doing everything they need him to do in the ninth inning and more. In fact, I predict they will. But the League debacle gives me enough doubt to take a flier on Wilson in NL-only leagues and to keep Jansen only 17th in my relief pitcher rankings despite his stellar ratios.