MLB Player News

Braves pitcher Shelby Miller endured a rather peculiar start on Thursday against the Phillies. The right-hander allowed four runs on 11 hits over six innings. He walked one and struck four, but was stuck with the loss in the 4-1 final.

Of the 11 hits--which tied a season-high--all but one went for singles. Domoninc Brown launched a solo home run in the sixth inning for the only extra-base hit against Miller.

But the Phillies scored two in the fourth, and one each in the fifth and sixth innings, en route to the victory. 

Miller went 0-4 with a 3.24 ERA in five starts this month.

Padres closer Craig Kimbrel worked a perfect ninth inning to pick up his 30th save of the season in Thursday's 8-7 win over the Mets. Kimbrel, who took the mound after a near three-hour rain delay, struck out a batter as he preserved the victory.

Kimbrel remains perfect in save chances this season, and his ERA has dwindled to 2.68--it was as high as 4.50 in early June.

Mets starting pitcher Rafael Montero experienced stiffness in his injured shoulder following his latest throwing session, according to the New York Post. He is getting re-evaluated.

The right-hander has made two appearances on a rehab assignment in the Gulf Coast League (rookie). He has tossed four scoreless innings, allowing four hits and no walks. He has five strikeouts.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman came into a tight situation and excelled once again, picking up his 21st save of the season to preserve a 1-0 victory. 

Chapman struck out Jason Heyward looking and Yadier Molina swinging to end the game, needing just 13 pitches to power through the Cardinals' hitters. The closer remains one of the prime targets of several teams as the trade deadline approaches. 

Pirates closer Mark Melancon entered a tie game on Tuesday, his first non-save situation in the last four outings. 

Melancon pitched 1 2/3 innings, allowing just a walk. He earned the win, moving to 2-1 on the season. 

Phillies reliever Ken Giles earned his first save of the year in Tuesday's win over Toronto. 

Giles pitched a scoreless ninth to protect a one-run lead. He allowed one hit and earned his second career save, and first since September 20 of last season. 

Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart confirmed Tuesday he has talked with the Reds about closer Aroldis Chapman, according to MLB.com.

"I'm going to go down that path and see where it takes us," Stewart said.

Stewart said he didn't know if a deal was likely to get done, but added he doesn't want to do anything that hurts the team in the future.

Yahoo Sports reported earlier Tuesday the two sides were discussing a deal, and the Diamondbacks were doing their due diligence about the lefty reliever.

Walt Weiss had given no indication that he was ready to yank Rockies closer John Axford from that role. But after Monday night, he could certainly be giving it some serious thought.

Axford continued his slide after retiring two batters in the ninth against the host Cubs by allowing a walk-off, two-run jack to Kris Bryant.

The right-hander has been a mess lately. He has given up six runs on six hits in his last 3 1/3 innings with five walks. His ERA has climbed from 2.36 to 3.90 during that stretch.

Reds pitcher Raisel Iglesias only made one mistake in his start Monday against the Cardinals, but it cost him the game in the 4-1 loss.

Iglesias allowed a grand slam to Kolten Wong in the fourth inning. The four runs were the only runs Iglesias surrendered over six innings. He gave up six hits while striking out seven and not walking a batter. He is now 1-3 with a 5.53 ERA.

Iglesias has not earned a win since May 13. He has one quality start in seven starts this season.

The Nationals are reportedly the most likely team to land Padres closer Craig Kimbrel despite their continued interest in Reds counterpart Aroldis Chapman.

General manager Mike Rizzo appears determined to find a lights-out closer.

"I almost bet my house that he will do something big," a source close to Rizzo told Fox Sports MLB insider Ken Rosenthal.

Kimbrel has hit his stride after a rough patch early in the season and is now among the hottest closers in the game.