MLB Player News

Mets relief pitcher Rafael Montero threw three scoreless innings in a Rookie League rehab outing on Monday, per ESPN.com.

Montero allowed just three hits and struck out four batters in what was his second rehab appearance as he tries to work his way back from rotator cuff inflammation.

Montero has been on the disabled list since April 19.

The Nationals selected the contract of RHP Abel de Los Santos from Double-A Harrisburg, the team announced on Monday. 

De Los Santos was 4-4 with six saves and a 2.65 ERA at Harrisburg. 

He replaces RHP Blake Treinen, optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. He was 2-2 with a 4.39 ERA with the Nats.

To make room on the 40-man roster, outfielder Jayson Werth was moved to the 60-day disabled list. 

The Padres and Rockies were unable to finish their game on Sunday after a rain delay that lasted over two hours.

The game was called with the Rockies leading 1-0 in the top of the fifth inning. The teams will meet again for a make-up game on Sept. 10, a mutual day off for both clubs.

For the Padres, Ian Kennedy (4-9) will take the mound on Monday against the Giants. Rockies starting pitcher Chris Rusin (3-3) gets the nod to start against the Rangers on Monday.

Braves pitcher Shelby Miller lost his fifth straight decision, Sunday against the Cubs.

Miller dropped to 5-6. He hasn't won since May 17.

Miller allowed three runs, one earned in six innings. He walked four and struck out eight. The four walks were the most he's allowed since June 2.  

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman became the fastest player to record 500 strikeouts in Major League Baseball history on Sunday after recording a five-strikeout outing against the Indians.

Chapman struck out five of the six batters he faced on Sunday in what was just his latest dominant performance. 

The six-year veteran needed just 292 innings to exceed the 500 career strikeout mark, besting the previous record by 13 innings.

Chapman now has an impressive 1.60 ERA with 70 strikeouts and 21 walks in 39 1/3 innings of relief this season.

The Tigers are among the teams that have inquired about Rockies closer John Axford, according to Fox Sports.

Axford, who is under team control through 2016, is 1-2 with a 2.36 ERA and 16 saves in 2015.

Mets pitcher Josh Edgin has begun throwing this week, reports the Daily News. Edgin has not pitched this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Padres closer Craig Kimbrel nailed down the save for the second night in a row on Saturday.

Kimbrel struck out the side, picking up his 25th save of the year in the 5-4 win over the Rockies. 

Brewers right-hander Jimmy Nelson did not have his finest outing on Saturday, but he was able to come away with his seventh win of the season. Nelson gave up four runs on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings. He walked three and struck out eight in the 8-5 win over the Pirates.

Nelson (7-9) fell behind early as he gave up three runs in the first inning. But the Brewers rallied back to give the 26-year-old a lead that he was able to hold on to. He even helped his own cause, chipping in a two-run single in the second to give cut the Pirates' lead to 3-2. 

Nelson's ERA went up a tick to 4.29. He is 4-1 with a 3.38 ERA over his last five starts.

If the Phillies trade closer Jonathan Papelbon before the looming trade deadline they might have the luxury of replacing him from within. Reliever Ken Giles is putting his name out there as the guy to step into the closer role, per the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Giles said the closer role is a big task, but one that he is ready for might the opportunity present itself.

"Everyone knows who you are when you come into that ninth inning because you're the one that ends the game," Giles said Saturday. "You're the one that brings the fire. You have the starters that start the fire and you just finish it. You put that extra little fuel on it to finish the game off."

Giles said he's taking it "one day at a time," given that Papelbon could just as likely stay with the team.

"But do I feel like I could do it? Absolutely," Giles said.