MLB Player News

Even though he kicked off his latest stint as Dodgers closer with a perfect ninth inning for his third save Tuesday, Kenley Jansen remains unowned in more than 35 percent of Fantasy leagues.

Make no mistake: Don Mattingly's decision to anoint him over Brandon League is a big deal in Fantasy. True, saves don't matter in every format, but they do in more than 65 percent. And among the pitchers getting them in the leagues where they do matter, only a handful measure up to Jansen in terms of pure stuff. My Fantasy Baseball Today colleague Nando Di Fino called him a “Chapman/Kimbrel-type guy” on Wednesday’s show.

As a part-time closer for the Dodgers last year, Jansen averaged 4.6 hits and 13.7 strikeous per nine innings. That's Craig Kimbrel and Aroldis Chapman territory. It's basically what Jason Grilli has done so far this year. And pitching for the Dodgers, a team with a strong starting rotation that has struggled offensively, Jansen's opportunities won't be in short supply.

Don't be surprised if he performs like a top-five closer the rest of the way.

The Giants have optioned reliever George Kontos to Triple-A Fresno, CSN San Francisco reports. Kontos posted a 5.76 ERA and allowed four home runs over 29 2/3 innings out of the bullpen.

The Cubs have placed reliever Zach Putnam on the 15-day disabled list with elbow soreness, the Chicago Tribune reports. He has allowed seven runs on nine hits over 3 1/3 innings.

Newly appointed Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen was pressed into duty Tuesday, just hours after manager Don Mattingly announced his promotion.

Jansen tossed a scoreless ninth against the Diamondbacks, striking out two batters while retiring the side in order on 10 pitches. Jansen earned his third save of the season, in a 5-3 win. 

Cubs pitcher Zach Putnam was forced out of Tuesday's game against the Reds with an elbow injury.

Putnam was pulled after allowing three consecutive hits to start the eighth inning. He was charged with three runs on three hits without recording an out. Putnam, who has battled bone spurs in the past, will have an MRI on his elbow, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Giants reliever George Kontos was tossed along with manager Bruce Bochy Tuesday, after he hit Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen with a pitch.

Kontos was tossed after allowing three runs on four hits and two walks in 1 1/3 innings. He struck out three batters.

Giants infielder Marco Scutaro had been hit by a pitch earlier in the game and had to exit, and Kontos had been previously warned after throwing behind Starling Marte earlier in the outing. 

Following Brandon League's meltdown Monday, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly named Kenley Jansen the team's closer Tuesday.  

Jansen spent time as the team's closer last season, saving 25 games in 32 opportunities before an irregular heartbeat forced him out of the role. So far this season, Jansen has been arguably the team's best reliever, posting a 2.53 ERA with 44 strikeouts and only six walks in 32 innings of work. 

As expected, the Mets have recalled reliever Josh Edgin from Triple-A Las Vegas Tuesday.

Edgin has a 9.64 ERA in 9 1/3 innings. In 18 2/3 innings in the minors, Edgin has a 5.91 ERA this year. 

Braves reliever Craig Kimbrel has not allowed a run since May 7. He has given up five runs this srason and has a 1.85 ERA with 18 saves. In the last 11 innings, Kimbrel has surrendered seven hits and struck out 20.

The Mets are expected to promote reliever Josh Edgin from Triple-A Las Vegas Monday, according to ESPN. Edgin is 0-1 with a 9.64 ERA in 9 1/3 innings in his most recent stint in the majors. He is 2-0 with a 5.91 ERA in 11 relief appearances for Las Vegas.