MLB Player News

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel notched his 18th save of the season Saturday night against the Dodgers. 

Kimbrel worked his way around a leadoff single to Skip Schumaker as he struck out two and made it out of the frame unscathed to secure a 2-1 win. He has a 1.85 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP in 25 appearances.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman notched his 16th save of the season Saturday night against the Cardinals.

Chapman worked his way around a one-out double to Pete Kozma as he retired the next two batters he faced to close out a 4-2 victory. The left-hander has not allowed a run in his last eight innings pitched. He has a 2.33 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP in 29 appearances.

The Padres optioned reliever Brad Boxberger to Triple-A Tucson Saturday, to recall Burch Smith. Boxberger appeared in three games in his most recent stint with the team, allowing three earned runs in four innings of work. 

Pirates starting pitcher Jeanmar Gomez threw 20 pitches off a mound Friday, a good sign in his recovery from a forearm injury.  According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Gomez will throw a bullpen session Monday, and will be re-evaluated then.

Gomez was pulled from his previous start less than a week ago due to tightness in his forearm, but seems to be progressing well. It is not clear when he will be able to come off the disabled list. 

The Mets optioned reliever Collin McHugh to triple-A Las Vegas Saturday to make room for the addition of David Aardsma, MLB.com reports. 

McHugh, 25, pitched to a 10.29 ERA over three appearances this season for the Mets. 

Diamondbacks starter Daniel Hudson suffered a second tear to his UCL during his first rehab start June 4, MLB.com reports. Treatment for Hudson will be determined after an evaluation with Dr. James Andrews, but the tear likely indicates the end of his 2013 season. Hudson was working his way back from Tommy John surgery to repair the same UCL.

Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller turned in a solid outing as he picked up his seventh win Thursday night against the Diamondbacks.

Miller (7-3) surrendered two runs in the first inning for his only damage of the night. He yielded two runs on six hits while striking out nine in six innings pitched. He also helped his cause with a solo home run in a 12-8 victory.

"I haven't hit a home run since high school, at least in a game," said Miller. "It was neat. It will be something I remember for sure. Sometimes you get lucky."

Miller has now won back-to-back starts. He has allowed just two runs in his last 13 innings. He is scheduled to make his next start Wednesday against the Mets at Citi Field. He is 3-2 with a 2.83 ERA in six starts away from home.

On paper, it appears Rockies starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz is in line for a promotion to the majors. He is 6-1 through 11 starts for Triple-A Colorado Springs and has struck out 70 in 61 1/3 innings.

But Pomeranz still has work to do, according to The Denver Post. Sources told the paper Pomeranz remains inconsistent with his fastball and curveball, and he continues to struggle with high pitch counts. 

A league source said the Marlins are willing to listen to trade offers for reliever Ryan Webb, according to MLB.com. Webb is in his first year of arbitration and is eligible for free agency in 2016.

The right-hander is 1-3 with a 3.30 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 26 appearances this season. He has a hold and a blown save.

Cardinals pitcher Joe Kelly took the loss Wednesday against the Diamondbacks in his first start of the season.

Kelly held the Diamondbacks to two runs -- one earned -- on four hits and a walk in 5 2/3 innings of a 10-3 loss. He allowed an RBI single in the second inning. He struck out two, while throwing 50 of 80 pitches for strikes.

This is expected to Kelly's only start as he was needed to fill in because of a recent doubleheader. He is 0-3 with a 5.55 ERA in 17 appearances.