MLB Player News

Melancon recorded the final two outs of Thursday's game against Arizona to earn his 45th save of the season.

Reynaldo Lopez made it a save situation by allowing a two-run homer to Socrates Brito in the ninth. Melancon was called upon and nailed down the win, recording the final two outs on a total of 10 pitches. He is now 14-for-15 in save opportunities since joining Washington and has converted 45 of 49 chances on the year. The right-hander appears headed for a big payday this winter.

De Leon was tagged for five runs (three earned) on four hits over 2.1 innings against the Padres on Wednesday. He walked three and struck out just one, but left with no decision.

De Leon's star-quality numbers in the minors have yet to translate at baseball's highest level, but he remains one of the Dodgers' top prospects. The 24-year-old may not make the playoff roster, but he should be in strong contention for a rotation spot come spring training 2017.

Miller (3-12) threw a rare five-inning complete game, allowing no runs on five hits, striking out five and walking one in a victory over the Nationals. The game was called after five and a half innings due to rain.

The right-hander has done his best to turn it on lately and erase the ridiculous Diamondbacks trade that brought him to Arizona from people's minds, but it's ultimately too little, too late to fix that. Miller has thrown 12.1 straight scoreless innings, and he still has an ERA above 6.00. He also owns a 1.67 WHIP and .310 batting average against. Maybe his final two starts are a sign he will turn it around next season, but as for 2016, it was a complete disaster for Miller.

Moore (5-5) allowed one run over 7.2 innings and struck out 11 in a win Tuesday against the Rockies.

Moore bounced back from a horrendous start his last time out against the Dodgers (six earned runs in one inning) to deliver arguably his best start of the season. He didn't walk a batter for the first time since Apr. 17, tied a season high with 11 strikeouts, and needed just 99 pitches to get 23 outs. Moore owns a mediocre 4.48 ERA for the Giants, but this is the kind of start that shows just why they acquired him.

Melancon earned his 44th save by pitching a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout Tuesday against Arizona.

Melancon has been one of the league's most effective closers with 95 saves since the start of the 2015 season. His 8.3 K/9 has risen more than a full strikeout per nine innings compared to last season.

Stephenson (2-3) allowed five runs on five hits and a walk with four strikeouts over four innings Tuesday against the Cardinals.

Stephenson has given up four runs or more in all of his last five starts. He has surrendered at least one home run -- two Tuesday night -- in each of those starts as well. Stephenson's struggles in the minor leagues (4.41 ERA in 136.2 innings) have followed him to the next level. His ERA is up to 6.27 after Tuesday's stinker, and he has allowed nine homers in just seven outings.

Nelson (8-16) allowed five runs on four hits and four walks with three strikeouts over 5.1 innings in a loss Tuesday against Texas.

Nelson's second half tailspin continues. He is now 2-9 with a 6.75 ERA over 65.1 innings in 13 starts dating back to July 22. Nelson's 83:50 K:BB in that span isn't pretty, but the real problem has been the home run ball. He has served up 13 home runs in his 13-start cold streak; he allowed just 12 in his first 19 starts, in which he posted a sharp 3.39 ERA.

De Leon's scheduled start Tuesday has been pushed back to Wednesday.

It was announced over the weekend that De Leon would start Tuesday's game, but manager Dave Roberts decided that he and Kenta Maeda would switch spots in the rotation. Maeda will take the ball Tuesday night, and De Leon will get one more day of rest before taking the mound again.

Adleman (3-4) allowed just two runs on four hits and struck out four over seven innings in the win Monday over St. Louis.

Adelman has three quality starts in his past four outings and has allowed more than three runs just once in 12 starts this season. He pitches to contact with just a 6.0 K/9, and his lack of swing-and-miss stuff probably limits him to a mid-rotation ceiling. Still, Adelman is having a breakout season at age 28, and with the Reds containing few sure-thing starting pitchers, he's putting himself in great position to win a job in 2017.

Vizcaino (shoulder) is set to pitch in an Instructional League game as part of his rehab assignment during the final week of the season, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

It is still not known whether Vizcaino will be able to return this season for the Braves. The right-handed reliever has been on the DL with a shoulder injury since Aug. 30. If he were to be activated before season's end, it is highly unlikely that he would retake the closer role from Jim Johnson, who has performed exceptionally well as Vizcaino's replacement.