MLB Player News

The Giants reliever George Kontos from Triple-A Fresno Thursday as the 26th man for Thursday's doubleheader, and he will be available for the second game the San Jose Mercury News reports.

Kontos had a 3.00 ERA in 21 innings for the Giants earlier in the season, and will return to Fresno following Thursday's game. He has a 2.08 ERA in 47 2/3 innings at Triple-A. 

Pirates closer Mark Melancon earned a win Wednesday, striking out one in a 1-2-3 ninth inning in his team's 3-2 victory over the Braves.

Melancon (2-3) surrendered a run and took a blown save in his previous outing, but he was back on form Wednesday, securing his first win since taking over the closing role in early May. He owns a 2.24 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 50:8 K:BB ratio in 52 1/3 innings.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman is available to pitch Wednesday after dealing with an achy shoulder over the last few days, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Chapman hasn't pitched since walking four straight batters and being charged with four earned runs without recording an out Sunday. He owns a 2.82 ERA and 74:18 K:BB ratio in 38 1/3 innings.

A strong run of five straight quality starts ended with a thud Wednesday against the Blue Jays for Brewers rookie Jimmy Nelson.

Nelson collapsed after four strong innings to take his fourth loss in six decisions. He gave up four runs on five hits in the fifth and sixth before his removal. Among them were run-scoring doubles by Munenori Kawasaki and Melky Cabrera.

His next start is set for Monday at San Diego.

The Cardinals will flip Shelby Miller and Adam Wainwright following Thursday's off day, according to MLB.com.

Miller was set to start Friday, but will be moved to Saturday. Wainwright will now pitch Friday instead of Saturday. 

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen earned his 35th save Tuesday despite giving up one earned run on two hits and a walk in his team's 8-6 victory over the Padres.

Jansen issued his first walk since July 29 to the first batter he faced Tuesday, and he watched a run come home with one out and a man on second after a bunt single led to a throwing error by the closer. He recorded another out before surrendering a two-out single, but the lead runner was tagged out to end the game. Jansen owns a 2.98 ERA and 81:14 K:BB ratio in 51 1/3 innings.

Reds pitcher J.J. Hoover was stuck with a loss Tuesday, hitting a batter with the bases loaded in his team's 5-4 defeat against the Cardinals.

Hoover (1-10) wrapped two walks around a single to load the bases with one out then ended the game by hitting Jon Jay. It's the second straight outing in which he took a loss. Hoover owns a 5.37 ERA and 65:29 K:BB ratio in 53 2/3 innings.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman was not available out of the bullpen Monday against the Cardinals, as MLB.com reports he had a shoulder issue.

"He's just a little achy and it just doesn't make sense at all for us to keep running him out there," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "He was a little achy [Sunday]. I didn’t want to say anything but he was. By the time we knew there might be an issue, the damage was done yesterday. Our trainers say it's a day-to-day thing and that he could be ready to go soon. I'm not crossing him off our list for [Tuesday] by any means."

Chapman threw 28 pitches while walking four batters in his last appearance Sunday. Whether he is available Tuesday is likely to be determined at game-time.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman is battling an achy shoulder, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. 

Chapman is considered day-to-day with the injury. Manager Bryan Price said he's "not crossing him off the list for [Tuesday]." Chapman was unavailable Monday due to the issue. He has a 2.82 ERA over 38 1/3 innings. 

Mets reliever Carlos Torres stepped up in a big way during a spot start Monday against the Cubs after Bartolo Colon was a late scratch due to personal reasons. Torres tossed five scoreless innings, allowing three hits and two walks.

Torres, who pitched one-third of an inning in relief Sunday, got off to a really fast start, as he struck out the side in the first inning. He got all three batters on swinging strikeouts. He finished with six strikeouts.

He allowed a single to Starlin Castro in the second inning, and singles to Luis Valbuena and Justin Ruggiano in the fourth inning, which helped load the bases. But Torres worked out of the two-out jam by striking out Welington Castillo.

He left with a 1-0 lead, but the Mets could not hold the one-run advantage and eventually lost 4-1. Monday was the first time this season Torres drew a start. As of now, he's expected to head back to the bullpen.