MLB Player News

Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart confirmed Tuesday he has talked with the Reds about closer Aroldis Chapman, according to MLB.com.

"I'm going to go down that path and see where it takes us," Stewart said.

Stewart said he didn't know if a deal was likely to get done, but added he doesn't want to do anything that hurts the team in the future.

Yahoo Sports reported earlier Tuesday the two sides were discussing a deal, and the Diamondbacks were doing their due diligence about the lefty reliever.

Walt Weiss had given no indication that he was ready to yank Rockies closer John Axford from that role. But after Monday night, he could certainly be giving it some serious thought.

Axford continued his slide after retiring two batters in the ninth against the host Cubs by allowing a walk-off, two-run jack to Kris Bryant.

The right-hander has been a mess lately. He has given up six runs on six hits in his last 3 1/3 innings with five walks. His ERA has climbed from 2.36 to 3.90 during that stretch.

Reds pitcher Raisel Iglesias only made one mistake in his start Monday against the Cardinals, but it cost him the game in the 4-1 loss.

Iglesias allowed a grand slam to Kolten Wong in the fourth inning. The four runs were the only runs Iglesias surrendered over six innings. He gave up six hits while striking out seven and not walking a batter. He is now 1-3 with a 5.53 ERA.

Iglesias has not earned a win since May 13. He has one quality start in seven starts this season.

The Nationals are reportedly the most likely team to land Padres closer Craig Kimbrel despite their continued interest in Reds counterpart Aroldis Chapman.

General manager Mike Rizzo appears determined to find a lights-out closer.

"I almost bet my house that he will do something big," a source close to Rizzo told Fox Sports MLB insider Ken Rosenthal.

Kimbrel has hit his stride after a rough patch early in the season and is now among the hottest closers in the game.

Walt Weiss does not sound like a manager ready to pull the plug on the closer status of Rockies right-hander John Axford.

Axford has yielded five earned runs on seven hits and six walks in his last six appearances. He had been lights-out before his slump and is still 16-for-19 in save opportunities.

"Some of those games where he did give up some runs, he didn't get a lot of breaks," Weiss told MLB.com. "Some groundballs had eyes. When he did walk a guy, it cost him. He's throwing the ball like he has all year."

The Giants have shown interest in trading for Reds flamethrowing closer Aroldis Chapman, according to Fox Sports, which is further reporting that no offers have been exchanged.

Chapman has converted all but one save in 21 opportunities this season and is averaging a ridiculous 1.8 strikeouts per inning.

San Francisco has a reliable closer in Santiago Casilla.

Some wondered if Padres closer Craig Kimbrel had lost his mojo when he skidded in late April and May.

They are doubting him no longer.

Kimbrel remained on a roll Sunday by retiring the Marlins in order in the ninth to preserve a victory. He struck out none, but still earned his 29th save.

He has not allowed a run in 12 of his last 13 appearances and has shrunk his ERA to 2.73, its lowest point since April 26.

Pirates closer Mark Melancon picked up his major league-leading 32nd save of the season on Sunday against the Nationals.

Melancon needed just eight pitches to close out the ninth inning in the 3-1 victory. He now has a dominant 1.37 ERA on the year.

Padres closer Craig Kimbrel recorded yet another save in the 3-1 win over the Marlins on Saturday. Kimbrel struck out a pair of batters and made quick work of the Marlins, needing just 13 pitches to retire the side in order to claim his 28th save of the year.

Rockies starter Chris Rusin was hit hard yet again, allowing all five runs in his team's 5-2 loss to the Reds on Saturday. 

For the third time in his last 10 starts, Rusin allowed at least 10 hits, as the Reds jumped on him for five runs in four innings. Rusin now falls to 3-4 on the season.