MLB Player News

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel was called upon for the third consecutive day against the Dodgers Sunday afternoon.

Kimbrel worked his way around a two-out walk as he struck out three to secure his 14th save of the season in a 5-2 win. He has not allowed a run in his last four appearances. Kimbrel has a 2.60 ERA and has converted 14 of 17 save chances.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman blew his second save of the season in Sunday's loss to Philadelphia.

It looked like Chapman had everything under control after he picked off Cliff Lee, who was pinch hitting for Delmon Young -- yes, you read that right -- but back-to-back homers from Erik Kratz and Freddy Galvis -- yes, your read that right -- tied the game and then gave Philadelphia the victory. Chapman has already given up three home runs this season, one less than all of last year. His ERA rose to 3.32 as a result.

Mets starting pitcher prospect Rafael Montero has been promoted from Double-A Binghamton to Triple-A Las Vegas, according to ESPN. Montero was 4-3 with a 3.47 ERA and .223 opponents' batting average in eight starts.

Montero also struck out 54 batters and walked just six in 46 2/3 innings.

Dodgers reliever Kenley Jansen blew his first save Saturday against the Braves. Jansen entered the game in the eighth inning with a 1-0 lead and an inherited runner.

But he was greeted by a two-run homer from Evan Gattis and Andrelton Simmons followed with a solo shot, sending Jansen (1-2) and the Dodgers to an eventual 3-1 loss. 

Jansen said Gattis "just hit a good pitch." Gattis said Justin Upton gave him advice about avoiding cutters that appeared to be bound for the middle of the plate because they would break off the plate. Gattis said Upton's instruction was to wait on a pitch "starting at you, or it looks like it's starting at you. That's going to be the one that you want."

"What could I do?" Jansen asked. "I'm not going to let that bother me. Tip your hat. He hit a good pitch. You've got to go in there. Period. He's creeping up on home plate every time I'm throwing outside. I put it where I wanted to put it."

Brewers reliever John Axford escaped with his first win Saturday night against the Cardinals.

Axford (1-3) pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowing a hit, two walks and struck out three in a 6-4 extra-inning win. He has not allowed a run in his last 2 2/3 innings.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel entered Saturday against the Dodgers in the ninth inning with a two-run lead.

The right-hander needed 10 pitches to strike out two and retired the side in order to secure a 3-1 win. He has 13 saves and a 2.76 ERA. Kimbrel has converted three-straight saves since his last blown save May 7.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel notched his 12th save of the season Friday night against the Dodgers.

Kimbrel, who entered the game in the ninth with a three-run lead, worked his way around a base hit, as he struck out two batters and made it out of the frame unscathed to secure an 8-5 victory. It was his second consecutive save since blowing his third save of the season on May 7.

Pirates starting pitcher Jeanmar Gomez placed his calf issues aside as he made the start Friday night against the Astros.

Gomez, who made his fifth start of the season, surrendered a solo home run to Matt Dominguez in the fifth. The right-hander was charged with four runs -- three earned -- and five hits over 4 2/4 innings of work. He walked two and struck out one as he settled for a no-decision.

Gomez is scheduled to make his next start Thursday at home against the Cubs. He surrendered four runs over 14 1/3 innings of work.

Diamondbacks starting pitcher Daniel Hudson, who is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, pitched in an extended spring training game Friday. It was the first time he has faced non-Arizona hitters since his procedure.

Hudson threw four innings as he struck out one and allowed two runs against minor-league players from the Angels organization.

"It went well," Hudson said. "Nothing out of the ordinary. I got a bunch of ground balls and I got out of the heat as quick as I could. Obviously, I'd thrown a couple of [simulated] games and a live [batting practice], so I've been facing hitters, but once you get out there against someone in a different colored uniform, different adrenaline and emotions start kicking in. Felt like I was getting a lot closer, and the light at the end of the tunnel is getting a little bit brighter now."

Hudson is expected to throw a bullpen session Monday. Barring any setbacks, he will pitch five innings in an extended spring training game Thursday.

Pirates starting pitcher Jeanmar Gomez is set to take the mound Friday against the Astros, and he calf tightness that plagued him in his previous start is not an issue, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Gomez has started three games in a row since moving into the rotation, and has allowed just three earned runs on eight hits in 14 innings of work. He has not gone more than five inning in any start, and the team seems OK with that out of him for now.

"Jeanmar's still spinning out of that fifth spot because he performed admirably as well as a long man, a pure long man, a few times," manager Clint Hurdle said. "He's given us what we need there as a five-inning guy, basically."

Gomez is expected to remain in the rotation at least until Charlie Morton can retrun from the disabled list, which is not expected to occur until June 5.

"We'll see where it takes us," Hurdle said. "We'll keep our eyes on what's down below as well."