MLB Player News

It's Independence Day. The last time Pirates closer Mark Melancon gave up a run, Memorial Day was just a twinkle in the eye of Father Time.

Melancon surrendered nothing but a walk and weakly hit infield single to the Indians on Saturday in tying Glen Perkins for the major league lead with 26 saves. He has not allowed a run in his last 25 appearances.

Things did get a bit hairy with two outs when he pitched around torrid Jason Kipnis for a walk and Francisco Lindor dumped a seeing-eye dribbler to short for a hit. But Melancon induced tough Michael Brandley to ground out to secure the victory.

His 1.62 ERA is at its lowest point since April 13.

The Rockies have reinstated reliever John Axford from the Family Medical Emergency list, the team announced on Saturday. Axford had been away from the team since Tuesday.

Right-hander Justin Miller was optioned to Triple-A to clear a spot on the 25-man roster.

Padres reliever Brandon Maurer suffered his first loss of the season, Saturday against St. Louis. 

Maurer gave up an unearned run in the eighth inning to drop to 5-1 on the year. It was the fifth straight game he hasn't allowed an earned run. 

The Phillies had worked out a deal to send outfielder Ben Revere to the Angels a few weeks ago, according to a report by the Boston Globe. The trade would have sent pitcher Trevor Gott to the Phillies. 

The Angels reportedly pulled out of the deal at the last minute and tried to replace Gott with another pitching prospect, but an agreement couldn't be reached. 

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen gave up a run in a non-save situation to take the loss to the Mets on Friday. 

Jansen entered a tie game in the ninth and gave up a double, single and sacrifice fly in his first three batters. 

Jansen gave up a run for the third consecutive game.

Mets reliever Hansel Robles pitched two scoreless innings to pick up the win in relief on Friday. 

Robles allowed one hit and struck out a career-high three. He won for the first time since June 15 to even his record at 2-2. 

Padres closer Craig Kimbrel pitched a scoreless ninth to protect a one-run lead, Friday against St. Louis.

Kimbrel earned his 21st save of the year and converted his 12th straight save opportunity. He's earned saves in his last five appearances and hasn't allowed a run since June 16. 

Braves pitcher Arodys Vizcaino, who has finished serving an 80-game suspension for using performance-enhancing drugs, has completed his rehab assignment and been activated off the restricted list. 

He has been added to the roster at Triple-A Gwinnett. The right-hander made six appearances between Class A Rome and Double-A Mississippi on his rehab assignment. He posted a 3.86 ERA, while striking out 11 in seven innings.

Rockies left-hander Chris Rusin was the victim of a pair of errors on Thursday night, leading to the Diamondbacks 8-1 victory. Rusin pitched six innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on six hits. He walked two and struck out six, as he lowered his ERA to 4.27.

Rusin (3-3) gave himself an early 1-0 lead when he drove home a run with a single in the fifth. But then he surrendered a solo home run to A.J. Pollock to leadoff the sixth inning.

Rusin then got the next two batters out, but walked Welington Castillo. Aaron Hill reached on an uncharacteristic error by Nolan Arenado. Then David Peralta cashed in with a two-run triple, accounting for the damage done to Rusin on the night. 

Still, this makes three consecutive starts of three earned runs or less for Rusin.

Padres closer Craig Kimbrel recorded his 20th save of the season in Thursday's win over the Cardinals.

Kimbrel closed out the 11th inning of a 5-3 win with just 14 pitches. It was his 20th save in 21 attempts this season.