MLB Player News

Rockies closer Adam Ottavino, who could be facing Tommy John surgery, is expected to receive "another opinion or two" on his injured right elbow, manager Walt Weiss told MLB Network Radio on Wednesday.

"Tough news for us and tough news for Adam, we still are getting another opinion or two, but doesn't look great," Weiss said.

Ottavino was placed on the 15-day DL last week with a right triceps injury. Weiss indicated that John Axford and Rafael Betancourt are two options for the Rockies in the ninth inning in Ottavino's absence.

"We have Axford and he's closed a lot of games in this league," Weiss said. "We still have Betancourt as well"

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, on the disabled list recovering from left foot surgery, could be ready to join the club as early as next week, depending on how he responds to back-to-back outings, according to the Orange County Register.

Jansen, who tossed a scoreless inning of work on Sunday, will make his third appearance with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday, and is scheduled to pitch again on Thursday.

Braves pitcher Shelby Miller threw a complete game shutout over Philadelphia to move to 4-1 on the season.

Miller pitched nine innings for his third career shutout, and first since June 7 of last year. He allowed three hits, walked one and struck out eight. He threw 99 pitches, 75 strikes and lowered his ERA to 1.66.

"He had the ball darting around pretty good," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said, per MLB.com. "We had some awkward swings and not too many good looks at him. He had pretty good stuff

His next start is scheduled for Monday at Cincinnati.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman was brought on in a non-save situation Tuesday, leading 7-1 in the ninth inning, and struggled with his control, walking three batters before fanning the next two to close out the game. 

Chapman had not pitched in six days prior to Tuesday. 

Chapman, who had three strike outs overall on Tuesday, has not allowed a run and has K'd 22 batters in 11 2/3 innings this season. 

The right hander had only three walks on the season before issuing three more on Tuesday.

Phillies reliever Ken Giles picked up his fifth hold of the season during a 5-2 win Monday at Atlanta. He tossed a scoreless eighth inning, issuing one walk and striking out one.

Giles has allowed seven runs in 12 1/3 innings, but only one of those runs have been earned, resulting in a 0.73 ERA. He has 13 strikeouts and eight walks.

Rockies closer Adam Ottavino is likely to need Tommy John surgery to repair his injured right elbow, Ottavino said to the Denver Post on Monday. A further evaluation with team doctors revealed a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow.

"Baseball is my love. So I will do everything I can to come back," Ottavino said Monday. "I've accepted it. I'll take it head on."

Ottavino was placed on the 15-day DL last week with a right triceps injury. Ottavino posted a 1-0 record with three saves in 10 1/3 innings of work this season. John Axford will likely fill in as the closer.

Dodgers reliever Yimi Garcia isn't getting many opportuntities for saves, but he's getting batters out. 

Garcia has picked up two wins and a save this season, but most of his appearances have come during key moments in the seventh and eighth innings. While he doesn't get credit in the major stat categories, his performance has been close to perfect. 

Garcia has a 0.66 ERA and hasn't given up a run since April 7. 

Rockies closer Adam Ottavino will meet with the team's medical director on Monday, to learn the treatment plan for his triceps and elbow injury. 

Ottavino is on the 15-day disabled list with an inflamed tricepts tendon, but an MRI last week showed the inflammation continues into the elbow, raising the concern that Tommy John surgery may be required. 

"Nobody has said anything concretely about anything," Ottavino said, per MLB.com. "Until you are evaluated by a doctor … Those are the people who make those calls."

John Axford is filling in as closer. He has three saves and hasn't allowed a run, although with the Rockies in the midst of a five-game losing streak, he hasn't taken the mound since April 27.

Dodgers pitcher Kenley Jansen was able to throw one scoreless inning Sunday as a part of his rehab assignment. Jansen threw 16 pitches with a strikeout and two hits allowed in the inning of work.

"Feels great," Jansen said to TrueBlueLA.com. "My fastball is in the zone, I am happy with my slider. I treat this game just like a major league game, trying to get ready for the ninth [inning].

"I probably got four more outings out here. The next step is back to back [games], then an inning and a third, then another inning."

Jansen is currently on the 15-day DL with a foot injury.

Padres pitcher Brandon Maurer tossed two perfect innings in Saturday's game against the Rockies, providing some much needed rest for a tired bullpen, according to MLB.com.

With many arms in the bullpen hurting, Maurer came through, needing 23 pitches over two innings to set things up for closer Craig Kimbrel.

"The way our bullpen is, we're sort of running out of options if we want to keep guys fresh for tomorrow and moving forward," Padres manager Bud Black said after Saturday's game. "… I thought Brandon could go another inning. He had two days off. I liked the way he was throwing."

Maurer has a 1-0 record with a 3.75 ERA in 12 innings of work so far this season.

"For him to go back another inning, physically it's not taxing, but mentally he's got to be on board. We very quickly told him he was going back at it. He threw the ball very well. Fastball, slider and change were very effective," Black said. "I didn't think they had good swings on him.