MLB Player News

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen earned a save in a second-straight game, as he needed two outs to close out the 10-8 win over the Phillies on Thursday.

Jansen inherited a mess left by Joel Peralta, as he entered the game with the Dodgers up by four, but with runners on first and second with one out. Jansen promptly served up a two-run double to Maikel Franco to cut the Dodgers' lead to two. Both runs were charged to Peralta.

After allowing a single to the next batter, Jansen coaxed a game-ending double play, recording his 21st save of the season. 

Mets starting pitcher Rafael Montero resumed a rehab assignment in the Gulf Coast League on Thursday, making his first appearance since July 20.

The right-hander tossed two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and no walks. He also had one strikeout. He has not allowed a run through six innings (three appearances) in the Gulf Coast League.

Montero has been on the disabled list since late April due to rotator cuff inflammation in his right shoulder.

The offense came around at just the nick of time Wednesday night for Diamondbacks starter Rubby De La Rosa.

De La Rosa was out of the game after five innings, having thrown just 54 of 101 pitches for strikes, when his team put up a four-spot to provide him with his ninth win. He allowed two hits with three walks and three strikeouts.

He struggled only in the first on a double, two walks and two sacrifice flies. He then retired 13 of the next 15 batters he faced.

The inconsistent De La Rosa has given up 17 runs in the last 34 2/3 innings to inch his ERA up to 4.56.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen struck out the side in order to record his 20th save of the season, as the Dodgers beat the Phillies 4-3 on Wednesday. The hard-throwing righty needed just 13 pitches to retire the three batters to face him.

Jansen has converted each of his past 13 save opportunities, though he had been scored upon in each of his three previous outings coming into Wednesday's game.

Pirates closer Mark Melancon had a rough outing on Wednesday, but he was able to hang on to record his 34th save of the year in the 7-5 win over the Cubs. 

Melancon entered the game in the ninth, working with a three-run lead. He allowed a lead-off single to Starlin Castro, who would wind up scoring. But Melancon got Dexter Fowler swinging to end the game.

This was the first time Melancon had been scored upon since June 5, spanning 24 appearances. It's the first earned run he has allowed since May 11. 

The strong early-summer run of Rockies starter Chris Rusin is becoming a distant memory. He continued his recent struggles Wednesday against Seattle.

Rusin yielded three runs on eight hits in five innings to take a no-decision. He walked three and struck out three.

At least his problems were limited to one inning - a miserable fourth in which he gave up four consecutive hits, including run-scoring singles by Robinson Cano and Franklin Gutierrez. Pitcher Taijuan Walker added an RBI double as the Mariners batted around.

Rusin has given up 13 runs on a whopping 28 hits in his last 15 innings pitched. His ERA now sits at 4.66 after he had dropped it to a respectable 3.88.

Brewers pitcher Jimmy Nelson picked up his ninth win of the season during Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Padres.

Nelson allowed one unearned run on three hits over 6 2/3 innings of work. He also struck out four and walked one. He is now 9-9 with a 3.57 ERA.

Nelson has received a win in three of his last four starts and earned a quality start in his last five outings.

Phillies relief pitcher Ken Giles had a nearly perfect outing on Tuesday, getting the final four outs of Philadelphia's 6-2 win over the Dodgers, earning his third save of the year.

Giles came on in the eighth with runners on second and third and managed to get Jimmy Rollins to strikeout. Then in the ninth, Giles allowed a leadoff walk before getting two of the final three batters to strikeout to end the game. Giles lowered his ERA to 1.72 in 47 innings of work.

Braves pitcher Shelby Miller posted the third quality start in his past six outings, but was left with a no-decision in Tuesday's 8-3 loss to the Giants. Miller allowed two runs on four hits over seven innings. He walked three and struck out three, throwing 65 of 106 pitches for strikes on the evening.

Miller left the game in line for the win, with the Braves leading 3-2 after seven innings. But the Braves' bullpen gave up six runs over the final two innings, en route to the five-run loss.

Miller has now gone more than two months since his last win, with May 17 being the last time he won a start, despite posting a 3.14 ERA over that stretch. 

Making his first start since June 8, Marlins left-hander Brad Hand pitched well against the Mets on Tuesday. Hand, who threw two innings of relief on Friday, tossed four scoreless innings on Tuesday. He allowed five hits and a walk while striking out three, but he did not factor in the decision in the 5-1 loss.

Hand left the game with his team leading 1-0, but the Mets tied the game in the sixth and tacked on four more in the eighth.

With the recent trades the Marlins made, dealing away Mat Latos and Dan Haren, it remains to be seen if Hand becomes a permanent member of the rotation, or if he will head back to the bullpen.