MLB Player News

Much-maligned Mark Melancon, whose job appeared to be in jeopardy early this season, has rebounded with a fine run. He posted his sixth save of the year for the Pirates by retiring the Cardinals in order Saturday night in front of a sellout crowd at PNC Park.

Melancon, whose ERA was 8.53 after blowing a save with a three-run ninth on April 21 as some were complaining about decreased velocity, has responded with seven straight shutout innings. He has allowed just three hits and one walk during that stretch.

Cubs pitcher Pedro Strop has struggled over the last week, giving up six earned runs on seven hits and four walks in just 2 1/3 innings over his last four appearances, and he feels like his fastball isn't up to its normal standards, ESPN.com reports.

"I feel like my fastball doesn’t have that life that I need," Strop said.

Strop has appeared in 16 of his team's first 28 games, but he stopped short of blaming his recent struggles on overuse.

"I don’t want to say that," Strop said. "I’m kind of used to that. It’s early in the season. I don’t want to use that as a complaint."

Strop was able to get out of a jam Friday and help preserve a lead in his team's 7-6 win over the Brewers. He owns a 4.26 ERA and 15:6 K:BB ratio in 12 2/3 innings.

Padres pitcher Craig Kimbrel entered the ninth inning with a one-run lead and Kimbrel pitched a perfect inning to record his ninth save of the season during Friday's 6-5 win over the Diamondbacks.

Kimbrel is now a perfect 9 for 9 in save opportunities this season and his ERA stands at 4.63.

The long ball was not kind to Brewers pitcher Jimmy Nelson during Friday's 7-6 loss to the Cubs.

Nelson allowed three home runs and five hits, which resulted in four runs over seven innings of work. Nelson surrendered solo home runs to Dexter Fowler in the first inning as well as to Anthony Rizzo and Jorge Soler in the fourth inning.

Nelson's main highlight during the outing were his 11 strikeouts with only one walk. He received his third loss of the season for his effort. Nelson (1-3) has not received a win since his first start of season.

His next expected start is scheduled for Wednesday against the White Sox.

100 Miles Giles hasn't been hitting 100 mph on the radar gun. 

Phillies reliever Ken Giles, who earned this nickname for his ability to throw a fastball in triple-digits, has seen his velocity dip through the first month of the season. That said, his fastball is still clocking in the mid-90s. 

"100 miles per hour is just a luxury thing," Giles said, via the Philadelphia Inquirer. "I'm still 95-96. Who cares? I'm going to be more effective if I learn how to pitch. That's how I get out. Not blowing guys away. It's learning how to pitch."

Giles has been heavily effective this year, posting a 0.73 ERA in 12.1 innings of relief work. 

Diamondbacks pitcher Rubby De La Rosa got more than enough run support during Thursday's 11-0 win over the Padres.

De La Rosa (3-2) pitched seven innings and did not surrender a run on three hits. He struck out seven batters and walked two. He was able to lower his ERA from 5.40 to 4.38 and he earned a win for his effort.

De La Rosa has now pitched seven innings and surrendered one run or less in two of his last three starts. His next expected start is scheduled for Wednesday against the Nationals.

After throwing a bullpen session Wednesday, Diamondbacks pitcher David Hernandez is set to pitch in an extended spring training game Saturday, reports MLB.com.

Hernandez has not appeared in a game this season as he makes his way back from Tommy John surgery.

Rockies pitcher Adam Ottavino underwent Tommy John surgery Thursday and was placed on the 60-day disabled list, reports The Denver Post.

Ottavino needed the surgery to replace a torn ligament in his elbow and he will miss the remainder of the season.

"I feel fine," he said. "Everything went as expected."

Ottavino did not allow a run in 10 1/3 innings of work before suffering the injury and he vowed to come back next season.

"I plan on coming back next year as strong as I can," he said.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman picked up his sixth save Wednesday, giving up one hit in an inning of work in his team's 3-0 win over the Pirates.

Chapman failed to record a strikeout in an appearance for the first time since April 12 in Wednesday's win, but he was still able to slam the door to preserve the shutout. He has yet to surrender a run in 12 2/3 innings while racking up 22 strikeouts.

Dodgers pitcher Kenley Jansen surrendered three runs on two hits and a walk while recording just two outs in his rehab appearance with Class A Rancho Cucamonga Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

The Dodgers closer also struck out two but reached his 25-pitch limit before the end of the inning, prompting him to be removed before he could record three outs.

Jansen, who's working his way back from foot surgery, is expected to make another appearance Thursday if he comes out of Wednesday's outing feeling fine. He may be able to join the Dodgers by mid-May.