MLB Player News

Don Mattingly has declared that he will use Dodgers right-hander Kenley Jansen in one or two lower-pressure appearances before putting him back into save situations.

"He's our closer. There's no question about that," he told True Blue LA. "We don't want him in a bases-loaded, no-room-for-error situation. We'll try to give him an inning somewhat comfortable, not a total pressure situation."

Jansen is set to be activated off the disabled list Saturday after recovering from a foot injury. He racked up 97 saves in 113 chances over the last three season.

Diamondbacks starter Rubby De La Rosa (4-2) gave up four runs on eight hits in seven innings Tuesday but received ample run support to take the win against the Nationals.

De La Rosa was touched for a two-run homer from Bryce Harper.

De La Rosa and the D-Backs lead 8-2 after four innings and cruised to a 14-6 win.

De La Rosa's next start is set for Monday in Miami.

Closer Aroldis Chapman (2-2) came on in a tie game Tuesday to hold the Braves scoreless in the top of the ninth inning and took the win when the Reds rallied to win it in the bottom half.

Chapman took the loss in both of the Reds' two previous games and had not allowed a run all season until the recent hiccup.

Mets pitcher Vic Black (shoulder, neck) is slated to begin a Triple-A rehab assignment Sunday, The Star-Ledger reports.

Black is working his way back from a herniated disk in his neck and has yet to make his regular-season debut. He went 2-3 with a 2.60 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings last season.

Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart took full responsibility for what decided Monday's game against the Braves. Closer Aroldis Chapman's pitch went through Barnhart's glove, allowing a go-ahead run to score in the ninth inning.

"I've got to catch the ball, it's that simple," Barnhart said to MLB.com. "That doesn't matter -- 110, 120 [mph], it doesn't matter. That ball has to be caught. There's no excuse."

Manager Bryan Price didn't solely blame Barnahart for the error.

"It was just a pitch that got away," Price said. "It's hard when you're throwing that hard and the ball cuts instead of sinks. It's a tough position to play with a guy that throws like Chappy does. It's a lot of velocity and a lot of action."

Dodgers pitcher Yimi Garcia failed to convert a save when he allowed a two-run home run to Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich during Monday's 5-3 win.

Garcia entered with a one-run lead in the ninth, but he surrendered two runs on two walks and two hits. Garcia was pulled after recording two outs in the inning. It was his second blown save this season.

"He was due for one of those outings," manager Don Mattingly said after the game, per the Orange County Register.

Despite blowing the lead, the Dodgers were able to win the game on a three-run home run from Scott Van Slyke in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Reds pitcher Mike Leake allowed only one earned run during Monday night's 2-1 loss to the Braves. 

Leake didn't have his best stuff as he gave up eight hits and two walks while only striking out one batter. However, through six innings he was able to keep the Braves' batters at bay enough to keep the game tied 1-1 when he left. 

Aroldis Chapman pitched the top of the ninth and gave up a run on a willd pitch to lose the game. 

After throwing nine strikeouts against the Cubs on April 24, Leake has only struck out a total of six batters in his past three games. 

Leake's next start is projected for Sunday against the Giants. 

Braves pitcher Shelby Miller pitched seven strong innings but earned a no-decision in Monday night's 2-1 win over the Reds. 

Miller only allowed one run but exited the game with the game tied at 1-1. Luis Avilan entered the game in the eighth inning and earned the win. 

Miller struck out eight batters and walked two. He only allowed three hits and now has an impressive 1.60 ERA. This is Miller's third game in a row where he's recorded at least eight strikeouts. He now has 39 for the season. 

"The first two innings I was kind of rushing a little bit," Miller said. "[Pierzynski] saw some things with my mechanics, which was nice. After that we settled in pretty good. I was just trying to put up zeroes. We did a good job of that as well."

Miller's next start is projected for Sunday against the Marlins. 

Pirates closer Mark Melancon picked up his eighth save of the season in Monday night's 4-3 win over the Phillies. 

Melancon had a two-run cushion in the ninth and allowed a leadoff home run to Odubel Herrera. He then recorded three outs in the next four betters to preserve the win for the Pirates. 

By giving up a home run, Melancon snapped an eight-game streak of not allowing an earned run in a game. Even so, it's his third consecutive appearance that he's been able to record a save. 

Dodgers pitcher Kenley Jansen is expecting to be activated on Saturday, Jansen said per the L.A. Times. Jansen, who is currently on the 15-day DL with a foot injury, is also expected to throw on his rehab assignment one more time on Wednesday.

Jansen won't immediately earn back his role as the team's closer, but is on board with manager Don Mattingly's plan for the bullpen.