MLB Player News

Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller struggled a bit with his control Wednesday against the Astros, as he settled for a no-decision in his final start before the All-Star break.

Miller allowed three runs on five hits in five innings, and he had some trouble throwing strikes. He walked five and struck out five, while throwing 56 of 94 pitches for strikes. Miller allowed two runs in the second inning and one more in the fifth, when his outing came to an end.

Miller exited the game in line for the loss, which would have been his seventh of the season, after allowing three runs in five innings. But the St. Louis offense bailed him out shortly after he left the game. The Cardinals won, 5-4.

Miller is set to get some extra time off after the All-Star break, as he will not start until the fourth game. Miller is set to take the mound July 23 against the Phillies. 

The Cardinals announced their post-All-Star break rotation plans, Wednesday, and they will not need a fifth starter for a few weeks, according to MLB.com.  As a result, Joe Kelly will return to the bullpen, with the rotation setting up as follows: Jake Westbrook, Lance Lynn, Adam Wainwright and Shelby Miller. 

Mets manager Terry Collins announced Wednesday reliever Carlos Torres will start Saturday in place of Matt Harvey, who is being skipped because of a blister on his hand. Torres, who is expected to replace Shaun Marcum (shoulder) in the rotation in the second half, was 6-3 with a 3.89 ERA in 12 starts for Triple-A Las Vegas prior to joining the Mets' bullpen in mid-June.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel earned his 24th save in a 6-4 win over the Marlins Tuesday, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning. Kimbrel has given up one earned run on 11 hits and nine walks while striking out 26 in his last 20 innings and lowering his ERA to 1.62.

Mets pitcher Carlos Torres is the likely candidate to fill the rotation spot vacated by Shaun Marcum, who will miss the remainder of the year due to injury.

Torres has made eight relief appearances since joining the team in mid-June, allowing one earned run on eight hits and two walks in 13 2/3 innings while striking out 12. He was 6-3 with a 3.89 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 67:19 K:BB ratio for Triple-A Las Vegas before his promotion.

A Dodgers scout was dispatched to Milwaukee this week to scout Brewers' relievers, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Danny Knobler. While Milwaukee has said Jim Henderson is off limits, the team is willing to discuss trading John Axford, Francisco Rodriguez and Mike Gonzalez. 

"Axford's a risk," said one scout from another team who saw him recently. "His stuff is good, but the command isn't there. I'd be worried about putting him in the eighth inning. K-Rod's changeup is really coming back. He might help someone."

The Dodgers aren't the only team scouting Milwaukee relievers. According to FOXSports.com, the Tigers, Orioles and Diamondbacks have scouted Brewers' relievers, according to major-league sources.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen entered Sunday's series finale against the Giants in the ninth inning with a three-run lead. The right-hander worked his way around a two-out single to Buster Posey and struck out Hunter Pence for the final out to earn his ninth save in a 4-1 win.

Jansen has converted six of his last seven save opportunities. He has a 2.49 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP over his first 43 1/3 innings.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman struck out two batters during a perfect ninth inning during Sunday's 3-1 loss against the Mariners. It was Chapman's second July appearance, but his last save came June 29 at Texas.

Chapman has fired three scoreless appearances since allowing three runs over two outings June 22-23 at Arizona.

Rockies pitcher Drew Pomeranz (0-2) was hit hard again as he suffered his second loss of the season Saturday night against the Diamondbacks. The left-hander surrendered five runs on five hits and five walks while striking out two over four innings pitched in an 11-1 defeat.

Pomeranz has allowed nine earned runs over his first 8 1/3 innings pitched for the Rockies this season. He is scheduled to make his next start Thursday against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

Cardinals starting pitcher Joe Kelly was not sharp in his return to the rotation Saturday against the Marlins, but the bullpen and offense bailed him out in 5-4 win.

Kelly gave up four runs in six innings of work, with three of the four runs coming on a pair of homers. He gave up five hits and two walks in the game, while striking out four batters.

Kelly left the game own 4-2, but the Cardinals scored twice in the seventh and one more time in the ninth to get him off the hook for the loss. He remains 0-3 with a 4.15 ERA in 43 1/3 innings. Kelly is in line to make his next start Friday against the Cubs.