MLB Player News

The Phillies optioned pitcher Jake Diekman to Triple-A Lehigh Valley following Thursday's loss to the Reds.

Diekman pitched 1 1/3 shutout innings in the loss, striking out two batters and walking one while surrendering no hits. He owns a 6.75 ERA and 29:17 K:BB ratio in 21 1/3 innings across 25 appearances. The Phillies will announce a corresponsing roster move on Friday.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman struck out the side in the ninth inning on Thursday, notching his 10th save in his team's 6-4 win over the Phillies.

Chapman suffered his first blown save of the season on Wednesday but bounced back with a strong effort one day later. It was the first time he struck out the side in a perfect inning of work since April 21. Chapman owns a 2.22 ERA and 41:15 K:BB ratio in 24 1/3 innings.

After being unavailable to play in Wednesday's game due to an illness, Dodgers pitcher Kenley Jansen has been cleared to play in Thursday's contest against the Cardinals, reports MLB.com.

Jansen was sick and dealing with high blood pressure so he was held out Wednesday as a precaution. He was given the OK by doctors Thursday.

Dodgers reliever Kenley Jansen was unavailable for Wednesday night's game due to an illness, the Dodgers announced via True Blue LA.

"(Kenley) Jansen missed last night’s game as he was feeling under the weather (and) will be re-evaluated this afternoon," the Dodgers stated. 

The illness is not believed to be heart-related. Jansen had a previous surgery to correct an irregular heartbeat. 

Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen is expected to be checked out by doctors on Thursday, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Jansen was unavailable out of the bullpen Wednesday and did not speak to the media because he "wasn't feeling well," per a team spokesman.

The Dodgers believe Jansen's issue is not heart-related and suspect he may have experienced some dehydration at Coors Field. Jansen experienced an irregular heartbeat in the past, and had a surgical procedure performed in October 2012 to address the issue. The checkup is considered precautionary, as the Dodgers expect him to be fine moving forward.

Newly acquired Diamondbacks reliever Dominic Leone has struggled this season, going 0-4 with a 6.35 ERA in 10 relief appearances. However, Arizona is banking on him finding the form he had last season, when he went 8-2 with a 2.17 ERA in 57 relief outings for the Mariners.

"Last year, you look at his numbers and he's 8-2 with a 2.17 [ERA], and we believe that that is the pitcher that we're going to get," Arizona manager Dave Stewart said, per MLB.com.

The Dodgers turned to Adam Liberatore, Yimi Garcia and Chris Hatcher in a disastrous ninth inning for the Los Angeles against Colorado on Wednesday. The Rockies scored three runs in the ninth to defeat the Dodgers 7-6.

After the game, manager Don Mattingly told reporters that Kenley Jansen was unavailable to pitch. A team spokesman said that, "Kenley wasn't feeling well and was unavailable," per ESPN.

Jansen pitched for the first time since May 25 on Tuesday, striking out two for his fifth save of the season. Mattingly added that he could be available to pitch as early as Thursday, when the club opens a four-game set with the Cardinals.

The Mariners have acquired outfielder Mark Trumbo and Vidal Nuno from the Diamondbacks for catcher Welington Castillo, pitcher Dominic Leone, infielder Jack Reinheimer and outfielder Gabby Guerrero.  

Trumbo is hitting .259/.299/.506 this season. Trumbo figures to add power to a Seattle lineup that has been about average this year as the Mariners have a collective .395 slugging percentage.

"You look where we're at offensively and we're not doing exactly what I thought we'd do or what most people thought we'd do, and Trumbo is a guy that brings an awful lot to the table," Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said, per MLB.com. "He's a big power hitter that will bat somewhere in the middle of the lineup and will be very good insurance for the ballclub." 

Late last week, CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reported the Diamondbacks were potentially interested in dealing Trumbo, who has nine home runs and 23 RBI this season. 

Zduriencik said Trumbo can play either corner-outfield spot, as well as designated hitter and first base.

"We'll have a rotation system where he'll get his ABs along with Nelson Cruz and the other corner players," Zduriencik said. "That will still unfold. More than anything else, to bring the bat to this organization is what we're desiring to do."

Diamondbacks starter Rubby De La Rosa got knocked around but escaped with a no-decision Wednesday afternoon against the Braves.

De La Rosa surrendered two homers to Freddie Freeman. He was charged with seven earned runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out eight over five innings of a 9-8 victory. Of his 1041 pitches, 68 were strikes.

De La Rosa owns a 5.09 ERA, a 1.22 WHIP and a 67:18 K:BB ratio over 11 starts (69 innings). He will look to get back on track Monday in Los Angeles against the Dodgers.

Pirates pitcher Mark Melancon needed five pitches to retired the final two batters Wednesday against the Giants, securing his 16th save of the season.

Melancon has not allowed a run over his last 10 2/3 innings pitched. He has converted 16 of 17 save chances, with a 2.45 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP over 25 2/3 innings.