MLB Player News

Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller will start just one more time before the All-Star break, in an attempt to give the rookie some extra rest. The team announced Saturday Miller would be moved back from Tuesday to Wednesday against the Astros, dropping a scheduled start for Sunday against the Cubs.

Miller has been excellent for the Cardinals this season, but they hope the limit the rookie's innings. He has a 2.80 ERA in 9 2/3 innings.

The Pirates will move pitcher Jeanmar Gomez to the bullpen, with A.J. Burnett's looming return to the rotation. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette confirmed that move Friday, along with the news that Gerrit Cole will stay in the rotation moving forward.

Gomez has a 2.70 ERA 14 appearances this season, including eight starts. 

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel suffered his second loss Thursday night against the Marlins.

Kimbrel (2-2) issued two walks and allowed a run-scoring single to Donovan Solano to break a tie. The right-hander permitted a run on a hit and two walks while striking out the side. It was the first run Kimbrel has allowed since May 7. He has a 1.72 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP through in 32 appearances.

Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller snapped a two-game losing streak Wednesday, as he received a plethora of run support in a 12-2 win over the Angels.

Miller didn't need much of that support, however, as he was on top of his game. He made just one mistake, allowing a two-run home run to Hank Conger in the second inning, but he already had a 7-0 lead at that point. Those were the only runs Miller would allow in six innings, as he ended his mini slide.

Miller struck out six batters and walked two, while allowing five hits. He threw 70 of 102 pitches for strikes, as he pushed his record to 9-6. 

Miller carries a 2.80 ERA into his next start, scheduled for Tuesday against the Astros. 

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen ran into some trouble in the ninth inning Wednesday against the Rockies, but he was able to limit the damage in a 10-8 win.

Jansen walked the first batter of the inning and then allowed an RBI single to bring him around to score after a stolen base. Faced with the tying run at the plate and one out, Jansen induced two fly ball outs to end the threat and earn his eighth save of the season.

Jansen blew his previous save opportunity. He has eight saves in 11 chances this season, with a 2.55 ERA. Jansen has 59 strikeouts and only seven walks in 42 1/3 innings. 

Cubs relievers Pedro Strop and Matt Guerrier were added to the active roster Wednesday, after Chris Rusin was optioned to Triple-A and Shawn Camp was designated for assignment.

Strop and Guerrier are expected to be available for Wednesday's game against the Athletics, one day after each was acquired in a pair of trades. 

Mets reliever Carlos Torres is considered the likely candidate to start Saturday against the Brewers if Shaun Marcum is unable, according to the New York Post. The Mets are considering putting Marcum on the disabled list.

Marcum would not reveal what injury would force him to the disabled list, but a source told the Post the veteran right-hander underwent an MRI on his upper back Tuesday.

Manager Terry Collins said Sunday Torres would likely be the next guy up if the Mets needed a starter. Torres started in the minors before joining the Mets' bullpen. He was 6-3 with a 3.89 ERA in 12 starts for Triple-A Las Vegas.

I have no idea why the Dodgers acquired Carlos Marmol. I don't know why they think they need him, with all the bullpen depth they already have. Just wanted another right-hander, I guess.

But I know he's no threat to Kenley Jansen in the ninth inning. When Jansen blew his first save after inheriting the closer role June 15, manager Don Mattlingly didn't even consider going back to Brandon League, saying he didn't "want to start that up again." If League's all-to-frequent ninth-inning meltdowns wore Mattingly down, why on earth would he turn to Marmol?

League is practically Dennis Eckersley, by comparison.

Pedro Strop was the Orioles' primary setup man last year, and in terms of pure stuff, he seems perfectly capable of closing. Unfortunately, he's one of those walks-a-million types, which means the Cubs just landed themselves a cheaper version of Carlos Marmol.

Maybe they think Strop is a little more redeemable than Marmol -- and to be fair, he issued only one walk in June. Of course, he also allowed six earned runs, giving him an 11.57 ERA for the month and a 7.25 mark for the season. True, his back has bothered him at times this year, but he was also shaky over the final two months last year, posting a 5.12 ERA with 15 walks in 19 1/3 innings.

So even though the Cubs' acquisition of Strop seems to give them a clear fallback option at closer for when they inevitably trade Kevin Gregg, I don't think it's an open-and-shut case. I still think Blake Parker has as much of a shot as anybody.

Orioles reliever Pedro Strop has been traded to the Cubs, according to ESPN.

Strop has a 7.25 ERA in 29 games. He'll join a Cubs bullpen that has struggled to close out games. Strop has dealt with a back injury, which has limited his production. He's saved three games in his career.