MLB Player News

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.

Brewers pitcher Jimmy Nelson didn't factor into the decision Sunday, allowing three earned runs on seven hits and two walks in 6 2/3 innings while striking out six in his team's 5-3 win over the Cubs.

Nelson had a 3-1 lead after four innings but gave up two runs in the fifth, giving up a run-scoring triple with two outs and following it up by giving up a double to the next batter to tie the game. He pitched into the seventh but wasn't able to complete the inning, and his offense retook the lead in the eighth.

"I was just doing my best to try to get back to the way I was my first three starts," Nelson said to MLB.com. "It's not going to be easy every time out. It was a struggle today. It was a battle."

Nelson owns a 4.03 ERA and 24:11 K:BB ratio 29 innings. He's slated to face the Cubs again Saturday, this time at home.

Padres closer Craig Kimbrel worked a perfect ninth inning in San Diego's 4-2 win over the Rockies Saturday, earning his seventh save of the season.

Kimbrel needed just 14 pitches in the inning, striking out the final two batters he faced in Carlos Gonzalez and Nick Hundley. Kimbrel lowered his ERA to 4.66 in 9 2/3 innings of work.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen felt good following his first injury rehab appearance on Friday night and will make a second appearance on Sunday at Class A Rancho Cucamonga, per MLB.com. 

Jansen hit 96 mph in Friday's outing. He's recovering from left foot surgery and is on pace to return from the disabled list on May 15.

The second inning was not kind to Diamondbacks pitcher Rubby De La Rosa during Friday's 8-0 loss to the Dodgers.

All five of the runs De La Rosa surrendered during the game came in the fifth inning, including a home run to Justin Turner and a grand slam to Joc Pederson.

De La Rosa (2-2) received the loss for his effort. He allowed three hits, walked three batters and struck out six during the outing. De La Rosa has walked at least two batters in three out of his five starts this season. After Friday's outing, De La Rosa's ERA rose from 4.68 to 5.40.

His next expected start is scheduled for Wednesday at Colorado.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Kenley Jansen will be the team's closer "at some point" following his return, according to the Los Angeles Times. 

Jansen is still recovering from a foot injury and is expected back with the Dodgers in mid-May. It's uncertain how long it will take for Jansen to officially step into closing duties but the job is still his despite starting the year injured. 

Jansen pitched a scoreless inning Friday during his Class A rehab assignment, reports truebluela.com. 

Braves pitcher Shelby Miller gave up three runs — two earned — in Thursday night's 5-1 loss to the Reds. 

Miller gave up six hits in the losing effort but did strike out nine batters. He gave up back-to-back home runs to Tucker Barnhart and Mike Leake in the seventh inning. Miller now has a 2.17 ERA. 

This was Miller's first loss of the season. 

Miller's next start is projected for May 5 against the Phillies.