MLB Player News

Pirates interim closer Mark Melancon earned his fourth save in his team's 7-4 win over the Marlins Saturday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning despite allowing one hit and one walk thanks to a double-play grounder after putting the lead-off man on.

Melancon has surrendered just five earned runs in 49 1/3 innings while striking out 48 batters and walking seven. He'll continue to close while Jason Grilli is on the disabled list.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel set down the Cardinals with ease Saturday, locking up a 2-0 win and his 30th save of the season.

Kimbrel needed just seven pitches to end the outing, as he put the Cardinals down in order. He struck out one batter and threw just one ball. Kimbrel has now saved 20 straight chances since blowing three in two weeks at the beginning of May. He has a 1.37 ERA. 

Cardinals starting pitcher Joe Kelly pitched more than well enough to win Saturday against the Braves, but had to settle for a no-decision in a 2-0 loss.

Kelly, making his first start since July 12, scattered seven hits and three walks over six-plus innings of work. He exited with the game stuck in a scoreless tie, after intentionally walking Jason Heyward to load the bases. Fortunately, reliever Seth Maness was able to preserve Kelly's line with a quick double-play. 

Kelly threw a season-high 86 pitches in the outing, after topping out at 79 in his previous four outings. He threw 57 of those pitches for strikes, while setting down three batters via strikeout. 

Kelly is slated to make his next start Thursday against the Pirates. He is 1-3 with a 3.44 ERA in 55 innings this season. 

Rockies starting pitcher Collin McHugh was recalled from Triple-A Colorado prior to his team debut Saturday against the Brewers. Mitchell Boggs was optioned to Triple-A to make room on the roster. 

McHugh posted a 10.29 ERA in three appearances with the Mets before the Rockies acquired him. 

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen collected his 13th save of the season during Friday's series opener against the Reds.

The right-hander struck out two as he pitched a perfect ninth inning to secure a 2-1 victory. He has a 2.28 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP through 51 1/3 innings of relief.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel notched his 29th save of the season during Friday's series opener against the Cardinals at Turner Field.

Kimbrel worked his way around a walk as he struck out two and pitched a scoreless ninth inning to preserve a 4-1 win, improving his ERA to 1.41 on the year. He has converted 19 consecutive save chances and 29 of 32 on the year.

The Rockies placed pitcher Drew Pomeranz on the 15-day disabled list as expect Friday, due to tendinitis in his left bicep. It is still not clear when Pomeranz suffered the injury, but he was unable to throw a bullpen session Thursday, which spurred the move to the DL. 

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman stranded two runners in scoring position to earn his 24th save of the year in his team's 5-2 win over the Dodgers Thursday. Chapman struck out two while walking one and allowing one hit.

Chapman has struck out six batters in three scoreless innings since the All-Star break, lowering his ERA to 2.59 to go with a 1.13 WHIP and 70:20 K:BB ratio in 41 2/3 innings.

Rockies pitcher Drew Pomeranz is expected to be placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left biceps injury, the Denver Post reports. Pomeranz was unable to complete a bullpen session Thursday because of pain in the biceps.

The Rockies are expected to replace Pomeranz in the rotation with Collin McHugh, who was scratched from his scheduled Triple-A start Thursday.

Rockies pitcher Collin McHugh was scratched from his start with Triple-A Colorado Springs Thursday and is likely to be recalled to fill the rotation spot of Drew Pomeranz, who is expected to be placed on the disabled list, the Denver Post reports.

McHugh was 0-1 with a 10.29 ERA, 2.14 WHIP and three strikeouts in seven innings with the Mets before being traded to the Rockies in mid-June.