MLB Player News

Cubs reliever Pedro Strop allowed the tiebreaking run in the eighth inning of Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Nationals, falling to 1-4 on the season. Strop entered a 1-1 game and gave up a walk and two hits, including Ryan Zimmerman's RBI single. He struck out one in the 19-pitch inning.

Strop's ERA rose to 3.03.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman was unavailable to pitch Sunday against the Brewers after injuring his hamstring during pregame warmups, according to MLB.com. He was held out as a precaution, but he could be available Monday against the Cubs, if needed.

The injury did keep Chapman from a save opportunity Sunday. Jonathan Broxton picked up the save during a 4-2 win.

Reds manager Bryan Price went with reliever Jonathan Broxton to close out Sunday's 4-2 win vs. Milwaukee over closer Aroldis Chapman. Though, no immediate word was given for Chapman's absence during Sunday's save situation, it was eventually announced Chapman was unavailable due to a hamstring injury.

Broxton, however, proved completely capable of handling the situation, earning his sixth save following a perfect ninth inning. Broxton retired the side on nine pitches and all three hitters grounded out to infielders.

Pirates closer Mark Melancon made it interesting, but ultimately closed out a 3-2 win over the Phillies.

Melancon entered the game with a two-run lead, and immediately allowed the Phillies to trim it in half as Marlon Byrd hit a leadoff home run to open the ninth. He closed out the inning with three straight outs, including two by strikeout to end the game.

Melancon's ERA rose to 2.43 in the outing, but he saved his 16th game in 19 chances. 

Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller wasn't a factor in the decision Saturday, surrendering three earned runs on nine hits and one walk in 5 1/3 innings while striking out two in his team's 6-5 loss to the Marlins.

Miller hasn't managed a win in any of his last five starts but came close Saturday, when he gave up a run in the first inning but watched his offense deliver him a 5-1 lead by the fourth. He was charged two more runs on a sixth-inning home run surrendered by the bullpen, and the bullpen cost him the win when the Marlins took the lead in the ninth. Miller owns a 4.15 ERA and 72:50 K:BB ratio in 104 innings. He's scheduled to square off with the Pirates Thursday.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel struck out one and secured a perfect ninth inning for the save Friday night against the Diamondbacks on Friday. Kimbrel has converted 27 of 31 save opportunities, with a 2.04 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP over 35 1/3 innings. 

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman struck out one in a perfect frame for the save Friday night at home against Milwaukee. Chapman has converted 17 of 19 saves on the season, with a 2.55 ERA and a 0.81 WHIP over 24 2/3 innings of relief.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen saved his sixth game in a row Thursday, in a 3-2 win over the Rockies.

Jansen entered the game with a one-run lead, after the offense rallied in the top half of the ninth. He struck out one batter and retired the side on just eight pitches for his 26th save in 29 chances.

Jansen ranks second in the National League in saves, and has a 3.79 ERA in 35 2/3 innings of work. 

Marlins pitcher Brad Hand tossed the ball well for much of his start against the Phillies Thursday, but ran out of gas in a 5-4 loss.

Making his first appearance since May 23, Hand tossed a season-high 99 pitches. He cruised through five shutout innings to open the start, but was chased without recording an out as he allowed three straight runners to reach base to open the sixth.  

Hand was charged with three runs on seven hits and a walk in five innings of work. He struck out five batters as the offense eventually bailed him out in a no-decision.

Hand lowered his ERA slightly to 6.21 Thursday, while he remains 0-1 in 17 appearances -- three starts. Hand's next turn in the rotation is set to come Tuesday in Arizona, though it is not clear if he will make that start. 

The Cardinals will have pitcher Joe Kelly make at least two more minor-league rehab starts before he returns from the disabled list, according to MLB.com.

Though Kelly has put the injury behind him, the team wants him to build up his pitch count before bringing him back. He threw 49 pitches in his previous outing, and manager Mike Matheny said he wants to see Kelly throw 70 pitches Sunday for Triple-A Memphis and 85 in his final start.

Kelly sill likely be activated shortly after the All-Star break. Kelly has not pitched since April 16 as a result of the injury.