MLB Player News

Rockies pitcher John Axford earned his first save of the season in the team's 5-4 win over the Brewers. 

Axford, who entered the game due to a blown-save opportunity by closer LaTroy Hawkins, finished off the game by striking out one batter and did not give up a hit during his time on the mound.

Rockies pitcher Adam Ottavino is known as the fireballer out of Colorado's bullpen. But the reliever wants to be more just just another flamethrower, reports MLB.com.

"That's my whole method of pitching, being tricky, mixing it up and improvising out there," Ottavino said. "That's fun for me. The game is that inner strategy, against the hitter, giving him what he doesn't want."

Manager Walt Weiss likes the versatility Ottavino gives him in matchups.

"He gives you an opportunity to match up; he's so deadly against right-handed hitters," Weiss said. "He's been better against lefties, too. He's made some adjustments. But the fact you can pick and choose whne you use him, it's a luxury."

Braves pitcher Shelby Miller threw five scoreless innings in a 2-0 win over the Marlins on Wednesday. Miller gave up four hits with two strikeouts, walking only two batters.

Miller's next start is at home against the Marlins on Tuesday.

Craig Kimbrel made his Padres debut in a non-save situation against the Dodgers on Tuesday. 

Kimbrel was summoned in the bottom of the ninth after his team broke a 3-all tie with four runs in the top of the ninth. He struck out Andre Ethier, Joc Pederson and Justin Turner swinging to secure a 7-3 victory. Of his 16 pitches, 10 were strikes.

Diamondbacks pitcher Rubby De La Rosa served up home runs to Buster Posey and Brandon Crawford, but still managed to escape with a win despite a rough outing against the Giants on Tuesday.

De La Rosa, who made his season debut, was shelled for six runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out five over 5 1/3 innings of a 7-6 victory. Of his 92 pitches, 56 were strikes. He starts the year with a 10.13 ERA.

De La Rosa will make his second start of the year Monday at San Diego. He went 1-5 with a 5.40 ERA last season away from home as a member of the Red Sox.

Padres closer Craig Kimbrel acknowledged he was caught off guard on Sunday when he was traded from Atlanta to San Diego before Opening Day, per MLB.com.

"It did catch me a little off-guard," Kimbrel said. "It was shocking that it was a day before Opening Day, and it wasn't something you are expecting.

"You can tell this organization is going after it, it's not a few-years deal, it's right now. As a player, that's exciting," Kimbrel said. "You don't know how long you're going to play this game.
"[Being here] you could tell everyone is excited ... from the front office to the players. That gets me excited. I'm ready to get the ball and get started."

Last year, Kimbrel joined Trevor Hoffman (1998-2001, 2004-07) and Francisco Rodriguez (2005-08) as the only pitchers to secure 40-plus saves in four consecutive seasons. No closer has reached 40-plus saves in five straight seasons.

"What he's done in his career, the last four years, speaks for itself. He's a legitimate ninth-inning guy. A four-time All-Star, a big arm, an impact bullpen guy. ... He makes us better," manager Bud Black said. "When it first came to pass, it jars you a little bit. You feel good about it and you feel good about it for the team. It's a big lift to us in a lot of ways."

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen is making progress in his recovery from foot surgery. 

Jansen underwent surgery to remove a growth from a bone in his left foot in mid-February. He was in a walking boot for part of spring training. 

Jansen told reporters on Tuesday that he was pain free and might be able to throw a bullpen session in two weeks, per MLB.com.

He expects to be able to pitch in a game again by mid-May, per the Los Angeles Times.

The Mets transferred pitcher Josh Edgin to the 60-day disabled list Monday. Edgin will miss the 2015 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Mets normal closer Jenrry Mejia dealing with an elbow injury, the door may be open to Jeurys Familia as the team's new closer, manager Terry Collins said Monday per ESPN.com.

Mejia felt stiffness in his elbow while warming up Monday and was unable to enter the game.

"He couldn't get it loose," Collins said. "With what we've seen right now, and with what he's had in the past, we had to shut him down."

Familia would slide into the closer's role with Carlos Torrestaking over the set up role in the eighth. Familia posted a 2-5 record in 2014 with five saves and a 2.21 ERA in 77 1/3 innings.

Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman worked a perfect 1-2-3 inning Monday to earn is first save of the season in Cincinnati's 5-2 win over the Pirates Monday.

Chapman struck out the first two hitters he faced, the first on just three pitches, before forcing a pop out to right field to end the game.