MLB Player News

Diamondbacks starter Rubby De La Rosa threw five innings in a no-decision on Friday against the Brewers. The right-hander allowed four runs on six hits, walking two and striking out four. He gave up solo home runs to Carlos Gomez in the first inning and Adam Lind in the third.

De La Rosa (4-2) saw his season ERA rise to 4.50 with Friday's performance. He'll look to rebound in his next start, scheduled for Wednesday at home against the Braves.

Brewers starter Jimmy Nelson pitched decently on Friday against the Diamondbacks. The young right-hander tossed six innings, allowing four runs on seven hits. He struck out eight and did not allow a walk, throwing 71 of his 103 pitches for strikes as he was left with a no-decision.

Nelson (2-5) gave up solo home runs to Ender Inciarte and David Peralta in the third inning, as his ERA rose to 3.90 with Friday's performance.

He'll look for better results in his next start, scheduled for Wednesday in St. Louis.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman nailed down his eighth save of the season, pitching a scoreless ninth inning in the 5-2 win over the Nationals on Friday. Chapman gave up one hit and struck out one.

Chapman has been shaky recently, giving up earned runs in two of his last four outings. But he is still a perfect 8-for-8 in save chances this season. 

Rockies closer John Axford pitched in a non-save situation on Friday, though it was not without a bit of drama. 

Axford, who came in with the Rockies up 4-0, allowed an unearned run to score with one out, thanks to an error by left fielder Brandon Barnes. But Axford was able to get the next two batters out to close out the game.

The unearned run ends a seven-game scoreless streak for Axford, who still holds a very fine 0.69 ERA on the season.

Rival teams are salivating over the possibility of Reds closer Aroldis Chapman being available at the trade deadline, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

"Most days he's unhittable," an AL scout said.

The lefty reliever is in the final year of his contract and will be arbitration eligible after the season. He won't be a free agent until after the 2016 season, per Baseball-Reference.com.

Despite only surrendering one run during Thursday's game against the Giants, Braves pitcher Shelby Miller received a loss for his effort.

Miller (5-2) tossed seven solid innings and allowed one run on five hits during the 7-0 loss. He did not walk a batter and struck out one, which tied his season low. His lone mistake was giving up a home run to Brandon Belt in the sixth inning. It was the first home run hit off Miller since April 30.

"Tough hit to give up at that point of the ballgame. I can't do that right there," Miller said. "I'm taking the blame on that loss."

The quality start was his eighth in a row. Miller has allowed a total of four runs in his last five starts. His next expected start is scheduled for Tuesday at Arizona.

Padres closer Craig Kimbrel picked up his 12th save on Wednesday, giving up one hit and striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning to shut the door on his team's 5-4 win over the Angels.

Kimbrel was able to record two quick outs before surrendering a single to Johnny Giavotella, who was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a double. The Padres closer owns a 5.00 ERA and 26:7 K:BB ratio in 18 innings.

Rockies closer John Axford tossed a perfect ninth inning Wednesday against the Reds for his eighth save during a 6-4 win.

Axford opened the inning by getting Tucker Barnhart to fly out to right field. He then struck out Brandon Phillips before getting Billy Hamilton to ground out to end the game.

The veteran right-hander has not allowed a run in his last seven innings. He's given up just two runs and three walks in that span. Axford is a perfect 8 for 8 in save opportunities.

Marlins starting pitcher Brad Hand handled the Pirates for five innings. He held them to just four hits and no runs before coming out of the game with a 2-0 lead.

Hand (0-1) threw just 74 pitches and struck out two batters before being yanked out of the game.

The Marlins bullpen blew another late-game lead when Mike Dunn and Sam Dyson combined to allow five earned runs in the seventh inning, giving Hand a no-decision.

It was just another day at the office for Pirates closer Mark Melancon on Wednesday. The reliever entered closed out the ninth inning of his team's 5-2 win over the Marlins and recorded his 12th save of the season.

Melancon threw 17 pitches in the ninth and allowed a single to Adeiny Hechavarria before closing out the side. He has not allowed a run in his last six appearances.