MLB Player News

The Diamondbacks may skip starting pitcher Rubby De La Rosa during their next series against the Dodgers, per Fanragsports.com.

Diamondbacks starter Rubby De La Rosa has been getting knocked around lately, but had not taken a real pounding since early June. That pounding came Saturday night, courtesy of the visiting Dodgers.

De La Rosa gave up six runs on nine hits in just two innings. He only had time to strike out one.

Los Angeles wasted no time wasting his time. Carl Crawford led off the game with a home run, then four straight hits in the third, including an Adrian Gonzalez blast, sent him to the showers.

De La Rosa still boasts a strong 12-8 record despite a lofty 4.75 ERA that is at its highest point since July 20.

Phillies closer Ken Giles was called upon to save the game Saturday not in the ninth, but in the eighth. He passed the test with flying colors and got a win as a bonus.

Giles struck out Addison Russell with the go-ahead run on base in the eighth. He then struck out two in a scoreless ninth and watched his team win it on a walk-off homer to raise his record to 6-2.

The right-hander has not allowed a run over his last 12 innings.

The Cardinals activated relief pitcher Matt Belisle off the 15-day disabled list on Saturday, according to MLB.com.

Belisle was on the disabled list with a forearm injury.

Rockies closer John Axford worked around a hit and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning, closing out the 4-2 win over the Mariners on Friday. Axford earned his 22nd save of the season, and has now converted each of his last six save opportunities. 

The Pirates need super closer Mark Melancon to be on a super roll heading into the playoffs. And maybe he has emerged from a mini-slump he had fallen into in recent games.

Melancon retired the Brewers in order Friday night, striking out two in the process for the first time since Aug. 19 and earning his 45th save.

The right-hander allowed five runs on five hits in 1 2/3 innings in two appearances before blanking Cincinnati and Milwaukee in his last two.

Both the loss total and ERA are heading up for Brewers starter Jimmy Nelson. He sent them both in the wrong direction Friday night in Pittsburgh.

Nelson suffered through his third poor outing in the last four by allowing four runs on four hits in five innings with three walks and two strikeouts. He blew a 2-0 lead in the process.

All was well through three - he even retired seven batters in a row at one point. But he struggled the second time through the lineup, giving up two walks and three singles in the fourth, including a two-run job by Chris Stewart.

Nelson is now 11-12 with an ERA of 3.95, its highest point since July 24.

Another start, another winless outing for Braves pitcher Shelby Miller. Miller has now gone 21 straight starts without a win, with his last win coming back on May 17.

On Thursday, Miller (5-14) allowed three runs on seven hits over six gutsy innings in the 7-2 loss to the Mets. Miller walked two and struck out five, throwing 71 of his 109 pitches for strikes.

Miller has now lost 13 consecutive starts, which ties a franchise record--and is the longest such streak in team history since 1935.

Despite the lack of wins, Miller has been one of the better pitchers in the National League this season. His 2.86 ERA currently ranks sixth in the league.

Braves pitcher Ryan Weber will make his second career start Sunday against the Mets, reports MLB.com.

Weber received a loss after allowing two runs over six innings in his first start Tuesday. He was recently recalled from Triple-A.

Mets pitcher Hansel Robles had to travel to the Dominican Republic to deal with a death in the family, reports ESPNNewYork.com.

Robles will not be available during Thursday's contest and there is no date for his return. He has a 3.50 ERA over 46 1/3 innings.