MLB Player News

Pirates closer Mark Melancon tossed a scoreless ninth inning during a 5-3 win Sunday against the Rockies for his 18th save.

Melancon needed 12 pitches to retire the side in order. He started with a groundout of Charlie Culberson, followed the first out by getting Michael McKenry to fly out to right field and finished off the game with a strikeout of DJ LeMahieu.

Marlins starting pitcher Brad Hand kept the damage to a minimum over seven innings Sunday vs. San Francisco on his way to his first win of the season. The left-handed hurler allowed two runs on six hits and one walk, while striking out four over seven innings in a 3-2 win.

Hand (1-2) kept the Giants scoreless for the first two innings before Buster Posey tied the game at 2 with a two-run double in the third inning. Hand, however, would bounce back to strike out the final two batters in the inning to end the threat.

He would allow just a Hunter Pence single in the fifth inning and Posey walk in the sixth inning the rest of the afternoon. Hand is expected to be back on the hill Friday at Houston.

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said reliever Will Smith was available out of the bullpen Sunday against the Nationals after missing a few days due to a back injury.

As expected, Marlins starting pitcher Brad Hand took the mound for Sunday's series finale against the Giants, which is his first start after the All-Star break. Hand left his previous start before the break due to a bruised right shin.

Cardinals pitcher Joe Kelly put together a quality start in a win over the Dodgers on Saturday, improving to 2-1 on the year. Making his first start since the All-Star break, the right-hander permitted one run on four hits and one walk while striking out four over seven innings of a 4-2 victory.

Kelly has allowed one earned run or fewer in all but one of his first five starts. He owns a 2.84 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP over 25 1/3 innings of work. His next start will come Friday against the Cubs in Chicago.

Brewers reliever Will Smith isn't sure how he injured his back, but woke up on Saturday feeling better. Smith is expected to be "back to normal by Sunday," according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

"I played catch and I felt fine; I let a few go," said Smith. "It's way better today."

Smith owns a 3.09 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP over 43 2/3 innings of relief this season.

Brewers reliever Will Smith was unavailable to pitch Friday due to back spasms, according to MLB.com. 

Smith did not pitch in his usual late-inning role, but the team hasn't made any drastic changes to the bullpen. The injury doesn't seem serious, and Smith could return to action soon.

Pirates reliever Mark Melancon picked up a save Friday against the Rockies.

Melancon entered the game with a two-run lead. He made things interesting initially, giving up a leadoff single. Melancon then settled in, inducing a flyout, strikeout and groundout to close out the inning. He's now saved 17 games with the club. 

Braves reliever Craig Kimbrel nailed down another save Friday against the Phillies. 

Kimbrel tossed a perfect inning, striking out two hitters. It was Kimbrel's 30th save of the season. His ERA sits at 1.86 following the outing. 

Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller will move to the bullpen for now, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

It's unclear how long Miller will pitch out of the pen. He could return to the rotation Wednesday, but that's not certain at this time. Manager Mike Matheny indicated that the move is being made in order to give Miller extra rest. 

Over 109 innings, Miller has a 4.29 ERA.