MLB Player News

John Axford just got his closer job back for the Rockies. He took the first step in maintaining it on Thursday.

Axford blanked Washington in the ninth to secure a one-run victory and his 17th save of the season. He allowed a leadoff single to Bryce Harper and a two-out walk to Ryan Zimmerman, but fanned Michael Taylor to end it.

He wound up striking out the side.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman has been bothered by a sore shoulder, which has kept him from pitching in each of the last two games, according to MLB.com. Chapman hasn't appeared since blowing a save against the Royals on Tuesday. 

The Reds did not present Chapman with a save opportunity on Wednesday or Thursday, but it does not appear as though he would have been available. His status for Friday's contest against the Diamondbacks is currently unknown. 

"The game [Chapman] had the other day against Kansas City, he never was able to get loose," Reds manager Bryan Price said after Thursday's loss to the D-Backs, per MLB.com. "So the last couple of days we just needed to give him treatment and rest. We're hoping with each day that goes by, that he's ready to return. We're not going to force anything, but with our bullpen limitations, we need guys to pitch deep into the games and starters to be aggressive in the zone. We need to get healthy in a hurry."

Marlins starter Brad Hand deserves a hand for his performance Thursday night against visiting Philadelphia.

Hand yielded just one run on four hits in six innings and took advantage of huge run support to even his record to 3-3. He walked two and fanned five.

The left-hander allowed a run on a Darin Ruf sacrifice fly in the first before blanking the Phillies the rest of the way. He faced two batters over the minimum after the run scored.

The Marlins have ridden a hot Hand since he rejoined the rotation. He has put together three strong starts in four outings.

Pirates closer Mark Melancon recorded his league-best 38th save of the season in his team's win over the Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

Melancon allowed one hit in the ninth inning, but went on to strike out the side in what was yet another impressive outing. He now has a 1.58 ERA in 57 innings this season.

Among the potential discoveries for the Phillies in their post-break surge is that they might have found their closer of the future. That closer is Ken Giles, who continued to perform well Wednesday night against Toronto.

Giles earned his eighth save, working around an error in the process of throwing a shutout ninth inning.

He has been sensational since July with two runs allowed in 19 2/3 innings. He has all eight saves since taking over the closer role on July 28.

Cardinals veteran reliever Matt Belisle, who has been sidelined for nearly two months with right elbow inflammation, is hoping to return in September, per MLB.com.

Belisle, who will accompanying the team this weekend to the West Coast so it can monitor his progress, has been throwing on flat ground.

Padres closer Craig Kimbrel hasn't given up a run in successive outings since early May. That stretch continued Wednesday against visiting Atlanta.

Kimbrel, who allowed a run in earning a save Monday, retired the Braves in order to preserve a 3-2 victory. He fanned Ryan Lavarnway in the process of nailing down his 35th save. He has 16 saves since July 2.

Pirates reliever Mark Melancon gave up two unearned runs in the ninth inning to send Tuesday's game against Arizona into extra innings.

Melancon suffered his second blown save of the year and first since April 21. He had converted 35 straight save opportunities since then.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman allowed a game-tying solo home run in the ninth inning to send Tuesday's game against Kansas City into extra innings. 

Chapman suffered his second blown save of the year and first since June 3. He had converted 15 straight save opportunities since. 

Reds starter Raisel Iglesias pitched seven shutout innings and left with the lead. The Reds' bullpen couldn't close the game, however, and Iglesias took a no-decision against Kansas City on Tuesday. 

Iglesias had his longest outing since going eight innings on May 13. It was his first outing of the year without allowing a run.