MLB Player News

With Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom scratched from his next start due to shoulder soreness, the team has to decide who will start Tuesday against the Nationals.

Assistant general manager John Ricco said Sunday it's unknown how much time deGrom will miss and that is impacting the team's decision on who starts Tuesday.

If doctors determined deGrom will miss just one start, then Carlos Torres will likely start Tuesday. If deGrom needs a stint on the disabled list, then pitching prospects Noah Syndergaard and Rafael Montero could be options to join the rotation. 

"The first thing we've got to see is if this is a one-start thing or more than that," Ricco said, per ESPN.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel racked up his 33rd save Friday, striking out two in a 1-2-3 ninth inning to finish off his team's 7-6 win over the Nationals.

Kimbrel has taken losses in two of his last five appearances, giving up just a single run in each, but he hasn't blown a save opportunity since June 20. He owns a 2.00 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 77:20 K:BB ratio in 45 innings.

Pirates closer Mark Melancon worked a perfect ninth inning Friday, striking out the side to pick up his 21st save in his team's 2-1 victory over the Padres.

Melancon hadn't notched a strikeout in two straight appearances, but he got back on track Friday, throwing 11 of his 16 pitches for strikes. He owns a 2.19 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 47:7 K:BB ratio in 49 1/3 innings.

Left-hander Andrew Chafin has struggled since his promotion to Triple-A Reno, but that did not prevent the Diamondbacks from bringing him up Thursday.

The 24 year old has yielded 93 hits and 32 walks in just 76 2/3 innings with the Aces and has compiled a 5.40 ERA.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen gave up a leadoff single Wednesday but retired the other three batters he faced, two via strikeout, to pick up his 32nd save in his team's 2-1 win over the Angels.

Jansen watched the potential tying run steal second with no one out, but he calmly finished things off to earn his first save since blowing an opportunity a week ago. He owns a 3.06 ERA and 73:13 K:BB ratio in 47 innings.

Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller didn't factor into the decision Wednesday, giving up one earned run on four hits and one walk in seven innings and striking out four in his team's 2-1 loss to the Red Sox.

Miller hasn't given up more than two earned runs in any of his last three starts, but Wednesday's outing was his first time during that stretch without serving up a home run. He owns a 3.99 ERA and 85:56 K:BB ratio in 128 2/3 innings. Miller is slated to face the Marlins Monday.

At one time or another this season, Kevin Gausman, Rubby De La Rosa and Drew Smyly have all been hyped to the hills -- if not by some other Fantasy analyst, then by yours truly. Their potential is just so enticing, especially when you consider they belong to a select group of starting pitchers who qualify at relief pitcher (or SPARPs, as they're more commonly known). It's a much bigger deal in Head-to-Head leagues than Rotisserie.

But following his third straight quality start Tuesday, I'm ready to say another SPARP, Jimmy Nelson, has left them all in the dust. With the exception of one ugly start against the Cardinals in his long awaited return from the minors July 12, when he allowed six earned runs in 4 1/3 innings, everything he accomplished at Triple-A Nashville prior to his promotion -- the improved control, the exceptionally high ground ball rate, the ability to pick up a strikeout when he needs it -- has translated. And with much better consistency than you'd expect for a rookie.

Naturally, it's a small sample, but a pitcher who put together a 1.46 ERA in the heavy-hitting Pacific Coast League deserves the benefit of the doubt. I'm not ready to move Nelson past Jacob deGrom yet, who has been as effective for longer, but ranking him 62nd at starting pitcher and 22nd at relief pitcher (in Head-to-Head leagues, that is) is my way of saying he should be owned in all leagues.

The Nationals optioned pitcher Blake Treinen to Triple-A Syracuse Wednesday to clear a roster spot for reliever Matt Thornton, who was claimed off waivers Tuesday.

Diamondbacks pitcher Daniel Hudson (elbow) began a rehab assignment in the Arizona League (rookie) Tuesday. He threw 17 pitches in one inning, allowing one run on two hits, while striking out two.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen picked up a win Tuesday after striking out the side in the ninth inning of his team's 5-4 victory over the Angels.

Jansen (2-3) came on to pitch the top of the ninth in a tie game and threw 10 of his 11 pitches for strikes, retiring all three of the batters he faced on swinging strikeouts. He owns a 3.13 ERA and 71:13 K:BB ratio in 46 innings.