MLB Player News

Melancon struck out two batters and allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth to earn the save in the 3-1 win over Texas on Sunday.

Melancon earned a save in back-to-back games this weekend, making him 3-for-7 in save chances this season. The 33-year-old owns a 2.83 ERA and it appears he could start seeing some more ninth-inning action after closer Will Smith had a couple rough outings Friday and Saturday.

Stephenson will shift to the Reds' bullpen effective Sunday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The Reds' move to a five-man rotation sees Stephenson and Sal Romano as the odd men out, as it appears Cody Reed will now get a look in the rotation. Stephenson logged only 10.2 innings across three starts, allowing nine runs and 14 hits with an awful 10:12 K:BB.

The Reds are moving back to a five-man rotation next week, even though they were unable to trade Matt Harvey, MLB.com's Matthew Martell reports. The new rotation is not guaranteed to include Stephenson.

The Reds haven't yet said who will be removed from the rotation, but Stephenson is among those at risk of losing a spot.

Poncedeleon will throw approximately 90 pitches in a start for Triple-A Memphis on Sunday and remains slated to start for the Cardinals next Saturday against the Reds, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The Redbirds are bumping Adam Wainwright's (elbow) rehab start back a day until Monday to keep Poncedeleon on track for a big-league return next weekend upon rosters expanding. Poncedeleon has been effective at both the Triple-A and major-league levels, and he'll head into Sunday's start with a 9-3 record, 2.15 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and .198 BAA over 92 innings at Memphis this season.

Leone (biceps) was activated off the 60-day disabled list Sunday.

Leone has been on the disabled list since early May as he's dealt with nerve damage in his right upper arm. The 26-year-old made 10 rehab appearances with Triple-A Memphis and showed no issues throwing upwards of 20 pitches. Mike Mayers (shoulder) moves to the disabled list in a corresponding move.

Mayers was placed on the 10-day disabled list Sunday with right shoulder inflammation.

Mayers exited Saturday's game against the Rockies with a previously unspecified injury, but the severity of the injury remains unclear. Dominic Leone (biceps) returns from the 60-day disabled list to take Mayers spot in the Cardinals' bullpen.

Jansen will be held out of action Sunday against the Padres, giving him two consecutive days off combined with Monday's off-day, MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports.

The tentative plan for the Dodgers is for Jansen to be available to close again Tuesday in Texas. "Kenley's still fighting through some things to get some traction and feel comfortable out there on the mound," manager Dave Roberts said. "Coming back 10 days and put him in the fire like we have, give him two days to reset."

Jansen blew his fourth save of the season by giving up a solo home run to Austin Hedges during the ninth inning Saturday against the Padres. He gave up no walks or additional hits and struck out two.

Jansen has now allowed five runs and seven hits across his first three appearances since returning from an irregular heartbeat. The 31-year-old remains the Dodgers' best option to close out ball games, but has yet to really look like himself since coming off the disabled list almost a week ago.

Boxberger allowed two earned runs on two hits and a walk to blow the save Saturday against the Mariners.

Boxberger surrendered a two-run double to Kyle Seager with two outs in the ninth inning to blow his sixth save of the season. He had converted each of his last four save chances successfully, with this marking his first blown save in a month. Despite the setback, the Diamondbacks have shown little inclination to remove Boxberger from the closer role, so until there is news to the contrary, it should be expected that he'll continue to get save chances.

Mayers was removed from Saturday's game against the Rockies with an apparent injury, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Mayers allowed two runs on three hits without recording an out before exiting the game with a trainer in the eighth inning. Specifics regarding the injury are not yet known.