MLB Player News

The Padres optioned reliever Tommy Layne to Triple-A Tucson Friday. Layne did not allow a run in 3 1/3 innings pitched in his most recent stint in the majors. He owns a 3.79 ERA in 20 appearances at Triple-A.

The Mets have promoted highly touted prospect Rafael Montero to Triple-A, ESPN New York reports. Montero owns a brilliant 2.45 ERA and 77:11 K:BB over 12 starts (73 1/33 innings). The 22-year-old ranked as the Mets' fifth-best prospect according to Baseball America heading into the year, and his brilliant start has done nothing but raise his stock.

Pirates pitcher Jeanmar Gomez surrendered two runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks while striking out three in three innings in his first rehab start for Triple-A Indianapolis Thursday, throwing 64 pitches (36 strikes).

Gomez is on the disabled list while recovering from a right forearm strain. He's 2-0 with a 3.07 ERA in 12 appearances (seven starts) this season.

The Phillies recalled left-handed reliever Jake Diekman on Thursday, as the corresponding move to the demotion of Tyler Cloyd. 

Diekman, 26, followed up a sparkling 2012 minor league campaign (1.69 ERA, 1.20 WHIP) with a relatively ugly 2013 -- in 30 innings, Diekman has a 5.70 ERA and 1.83 WHIP. However, he has been great against lefties, holding them to a .161 average. 

Cubs reliever Zach Putnam has a bone spur in his elbow, according to ESPNChicago.com.

The injury was confirmed by manager Dale Sveum. The team knew Putnam had a bone spur but had him undergo an MRI to make sure there was no other damage to the arm. Putnam has not spoken to the doctor regarding the MRI results.

In 3 1/3 innings, Putnam has an 18.90 ERA. 

Cardinals starter Shelby Miller struggled Wednesday night against the Mets and said he's still learning to pitch in the majors, according to MLB.com.

Miller allowed a home run to David Wright in the sixth inning and said he gave in too easily during the at-bat. Miller was behind 3-1 to Wright, then put a fastball down the middle. After the game, Miller said he should have been more careful with the Mets' best hitter. "I probably should have really, really, maybe even walked him there," Miller said. "Maybe even throw it down and away. I was just trying to throw a strike. It was a bad mistake."

Miller has been succeeding by being aggressive, but admitted he can't do that against the premier power hitters, especially in a hitter's counts. "It's just not a good job of me executing pitches at certain times, especially in a hitter's count," he said. "You can't really throw a ball right down the middle."

Miller has a 2.21 ERA and a 2.51 FIP in 81 1/3 innings. His next start is Monday against the Cubs. 

Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller struck out 10 batters without issuing a walk Wednesday against the Mets but surrendered four earned runs on five hits in six innings to take a loss and drop to 7-4 on the year.

The Mets jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first inning and added solo home runs in the fourth and sixth innings. It was the first time all season Miller has allowed more than three earned runs in a start. He'll take a 2.21 ERA and 91:17 K:BB ratio into Wednesday's home game against the Cubs.

Pirates pitcher Jeanmar Gomez is expected to make a rehab start with Triple-A Indianapolis Thursday and throw about 60 pitches, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Gomez is on the 15-day disabled list with a right forearm strain. He is 2-0 with a 3.07 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 44 innings for the Pirates this season.

Giants reliever George Kontos was handed a three-game suspension from the league for throwing at Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen during an at-bat Tuesday. Giants manager Bruce Bochy was given a one-game suspension as well.

Kontos was optioned to the minors after Tuesday's game, where he allowed three runs in 1 1/3 innings before being ejected.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman picked up his 17th save in Wednesday's victory over the Cubs.

Chapman struck out two and threw seven strikes in a near-perfect eight-pitch inning. Chapman has thrown 10 consecutive scoreless innings with 20 strikeouts. His ERA is down to 2.17 from a season high of 3.32 on May 19.