MLB Player News

The Cardinals have chosen to give All-Star pitcher Adam Wainwright a few extra days to rest following the break, as he will not pitch in the weekend series against the Dodgers, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Lance Lynn will start the second-half opener Friday. He will be followed by Joe Kelly and Carlos Martinez in the three-game series.

The Marlins announced their rotation plans for their three-game series against the Giants, which starts Friday. 

Nate Eovaldi will start the second-half opener, and he will be followed by Henderson Alvarez and Brad Hand, who left his last start before the All-Star break with a shin injury.

Phillies rookie pitcher Ken Giles has overcome allowing a home run in his first major-league appearance on June 12 to throw 13 2/3 scoreless innings while striking out 17 batters and walking three in his last 12 appearances.

Giles has quickly risen through the minor-league ranks after getting selected in the seventh round of the 2011 draft. He's dominated minor-league hitters while racking up 12.1 strikeouts per nine innings over his career, but he's also exhibited control issues. If he continues to keep a handle on the walks at the major-league level, he could quickly factor into the ninth-inning discussion if closer Jonathan Papelbon gets dealt before the deadline.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman aggravated a minor hamstring injury while covering first base during Tuesday's All-Star Game, but he says the hamstring is fine, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Chapman doesn't expect the issue preventing him from pitching Friday if needed. He managed to record the final two outs for the National League team while tossing just five pitches in the All-Star appearance.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel pitched the seventh inning of Tuesday's All-Star Game and racked up three strikeouts against the American League squad.

Kimbrel got Derek Norris swinging for the first out of the inning, but Alexei Ramirez was able to reach first on an error, and he promptly stole second base. The Braves closer shook off the runner in scoring position, getting swinging strikeouts from Brandon Moss and Ian Kinsler to close out the inning. Kimbrel has posted seven three-strikeout performances during his 39 regular-season appearances.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen struck out two and worked his way past a hit and a walk in a scoreless inning for the save Sunday afternoon at home against the Padres. Jansen needed 21 pitches to close out a 1-0 victory. He has converted 27 of 30 save opportunities, with a 3.49 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP over 38 2/3 innings of relief.

Braves reliever Craig Kimbrel struck out one and needed only seven pitches to complete a 1-2-3 inning for the save Sunday afternoon against the Cubs in Wrigley Field. Kimbrel has converted 29 of 33 save opportunities, with a 1.91 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP over 37 2/3 innings of relief.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman was dominant in the ninth inning during Sunday's 6-3 win against the Pirates, earning his 21st save. Chapman struck out the side to earn his fifth save in July.

Chapman has recorded two or more strikeouts in five straight appearances. He has at least one strikeout in every appearance this season. He has 60 strikeouts in 29 2/3 innings.

Marlins starting pitcher Brad Hand had to leave Sunday's game against the Mets after just four innings due to a bruised right shin. 

The left-handed hurler left with Miami trailing 3-1. He gave up a sac fly to Chris Young in the second inning before New York took a two-run lead in the fourth inning on an RBI single from opposing pitcher Jacob deGrom and an RBI double from outfielder Curtis Granderson.

Hand was charged with three runs on six hits and two walks, while striking out one. Hand's next start is not yet known since the Marlins have not announced their post-All-Star-break rotation plans.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen (1-3) picked up the win Saturday night against the Padres, his first of the season.

Jansen allowed two hits on no walks while striking out two over a scoreless inning, securing a 1-0 win. He owns a 3.58 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP over 37 2/3 innings of relief.