MLB Player News

Mets pitcher Vic Black was activated from the disabled list prior to Monday's game against the Rockies. He took the mound in the eighth inning and allowed a solo home run to Nolan Arenado, which proved to be the difference in a 2-1 defeat. He allowed one run on one hit and one walk while striking out one over one inning of work.

Pirates closer Mark Melancon struck out one and needed 17 pitches to retire the side in order in the ninth inning to close out a 6-4 win over the Phillies. He has converted 27 of 31 save chances, with a 2.03 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP over 62 innings of relief.

For the second straight start, Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller tossed seven scoreless innings Monday. This time it resulted in a win as St. Louis beat the Reds 5-0. Miller (9-9) was very efficient, striking out four, walking none and allowing three hits.

He threw 81 pitches while lowering his ERA to 3.83. Having allowed two runs over his past 21 innings, Miller faces the Rockies at home Saturday.

Mets starting pitcher Rafael Montero, who was expected to make a spot start following his promotion from Triple-A Las Vegas earlier this month, is scheduled to make it Wednesday against the Rockies, pushing everyone else back a day. He's not expected to join the rotation full time.

Montero, a rookie, has a 5.24 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in seven appearances, including six starts.

Brewers pitcher Jimmy Nelson was hit hard in a loss to the Cardinals on Sunday, dropping to 2-7 on the season. He allowed four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three over five innings of a 9-1 defeat.

Over his last four starts covering 21 2/3 innings, Nelson has allowed 13 earned runs. He owns a 4.38 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP over 11 starts (63 2/3 innings). His next start will come Saturday at home against Cincinnati.

In his first start since Aug. 24, Brad Hand turned in one of his best starts of the season, tossing six shutout frames in the Marlins' 4-0 win over the Braves. Hand limited the Braves to five hits and no walks, and he struck out three batters.

Making a spot start in place of Henderson Alvarez, who is nursing an oblique injury, Hand improved his record to 3-6 while lowering his ERA to 4.45. If Alvarez is ready to reclaim his spot when his turn in the rotation comes up again, Hand will likely return to the relief role he had been filling for most of the past three weeks.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen saved his 41st game Saturday against the Diamondbacks.

Jansen entered with a three-run lead, and managed to shut the door. He gave up a double during the inning, but managed to pitch around it. Jansen did not record any strikeouts or walks. He lowered his ERA to 3.09 with the appearance. 

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel struck out one and needed 14 pitches to retired the side in order in the 10th inning to record his 43rd save of the season Saturday night against Miami. Kimbrel has converted 43 of 47 save chances, with a 1.61 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP over 56 innings of relief.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman earned his 30th save Saturday, giving up one hit and two walks while striking out two in 1 1/3 scoreless innings to finish off his team's 2-1 win over the Mets.

It wasn't easy for Chapman, who had runners on first and second with one out before a timely caught stealing put two outs on the board. After another walk, the closer was able to record the game-ending strikeout. Chapman owns a 2.36 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 89:21 K:BB ratio in 45 2/3 innings.

Mets pitcher Rafael Montero has been promoted for the final few weeks of the season, after ending his campaign at Triple-A Las Vegas.

The Mets recalled Montero Saturday, and manager Terry Collins told ESPN.com he expects to get him at least one spot start, though Montero is not expected to join the rotation full time at any point.

Montero posted a 5.23 ERA in 32 2/3 innings of work over seven appearances earlier in the season. He finished the Triple-A season with a 3.60 ERA in 80 innings, with 80 strikeouts.