MLB Player News

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel walked one batter but was able to work around it for his 23rd save of the season Friday against the Diamondbacks. Kimbrel retired the rest of order in the ninth with three groundballs, needing just 14 pitches to finish off a 3-0 win.

Kimbrel has 23 strikeouts in 26 chances, with a 1.48 ERA. Since his last blown save early in May, Kimbrel has tossed 17 straight scoreless innings. 

The Cubs transferred pitcher Zach Putnam to the 60-day disabled list Friday. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 12 with a bone spur in his elbow.

The Padres have optioned Tommy Layne to Triple-A Tucson, MLB.com reports. Layne has been successful, with a 2.45 ERA in 7 1/3 innings in relief, but the club opted for the right-handed arm in Burch Smith for now. Expect Layne to bounce between the minors and majors this year.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen earned his seventh save with a scoreless ninth inning in a 6-4 win over the Phillies Thursday. Jansen allowed a hit and no walks but failed to get a strikeout for the first time in 13 June appearances.

Jansen has a 2.25 ERA and 58:6 K:BB ratio in 40 innings.

The Brewers are receiving a lot of calls from teams inquiring about potential trade targets, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider.

Teams have inquired about relievers John Axford, Francisco Rodriguez and Mike Gonzalez. There has also been interest in starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo.

Rockies starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz isn't currently listed among Triple-A Colorado Springs' rotation plans, which is a strong indication he will be called up to start Sunday against the Giants, according to The Denver Post. He would replace Juan Nicasio, who was in jeopardy of losing his rotation spot after getting tagged for six runs and 12 hits Tuesday against the Red Sox.

Pomeranz is 8-1 with a 4.20 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 15 starts for Colorado Springs. He has struck out 96 batters in 85 2/3 innings.

Dodgers reliever Kenley Jansen notched his sixth save of the season Wednesday night against the Giants. 

Jansen entered the game for Clayton Kershaw, who gave up a leadoff single to start the inning. The right-hander worked his way around another single as he struck out two and tossed a scoreless ninth to secure a 4-2 win. He has a 2.31 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP in 39 appearances.

Pirates reliever Mark Melancon earned in his second save of the season Wednesday afternoon against the Mariners.

Melancon, who entered the game in the ninth with a two-run lead, worked his way around two singles, as he struck out one and pitched a scoreless inning to secure a 4-2 victory. Melancon has not allowed a run in his last eight innings. He has a 0.94 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP through his first 39 appearances.

Pirates pitcher Jeanmar Gomez struck out five in five innings Wednesday against the Mariners, but he didn't receive enough offensive support to pull out a win in his first start back from the disabled list. Gomez settled for a no-decision after allowing one unearned run on three hits and two walks.

Gomez has a 2.76 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP in 13 appearances (eight starts). He is scheduled to make his next start Wednesday at home against the Phillies. He is 1-0 with a 3.79 ERA in six appearances (four starts) at PNC Park.

The Pirates have activated pitcher Jeanmar Gomez from the disabled list, the club announced Wednesday. Gomez will start Wednesday's game against Seattle.

Gomez has a 3.07 ERA despite a 1.44 K/BB over 44 innings this season. Wednesday will mark his eighth start.