MLB Player News

Cardinals starter Joe Kelly is closing in on a return from a hamstring injury that has sidelined him for more than two months, but the team has found a need to place him on the 60-day disabled list.

The move will not deter Kelly from working his way back soon. He is slated to make his first rehab start for Triple-A Memphis on Friday. He should be back on a big league mound the first week of July.

Diamondbacks pitcher Daniel Hudson threw to a live hitter Tuesday for the first time since undergoing a second Tommy John surgery a year ago. He was thrilled to get through the session without pain, and will throw a bullpen session Friday.

"It felt good to get back out there," Hudson told MLB.com. "It's the first time in a year somebody's tried to actually hit the ball off me so it felt good, good to get out there and get some juices going. I really wasn't hoping for much except for no pain so it was good and I don't have any pain so that's good."

Hudson could start a rehab assignment in August and return to the team in September.

Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller exited Tuesday's game in the third inning due to back tightness, but manager Mike Matheny feels he should be available for his next scheduled start, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Miller suffered from back spasms in the third inning, and while the news from Matheny is encouraging, the team will know more about his status after a few days of rest. Miller owns a 3.75 ERA and 66:46 K:BB ratio in 93 2/3 innings going into Sunday's expected start.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel picked up his 22nd save Tuesday, striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning to end his team's 3-2 win over the Astros.

Kimbrel had to record four outs in the inning, as a fielding error let the second batter of the inning reach base. He was able to retire George Springer with a strikeout to end the game with the tying run on second base. Kimbrel owns a 2.37 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 53:14 K:BB ratio in 30 1/3 innings.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen struck out two during a 1-2-3 ninth inning to finish off a 2-0 win over the Royals Tuesday.

Much like the man he replaced, Jansen dominated the Royals hitters to move Clayton Kershaw to 8-2. The closer has found his groove in his last two outings, striking out five of the six batters he faced and retiring the other on a groundball. Jansen owns a 4.13 ERA and 55:11 K:BB ratio in 32 2/3 innings.

Pirates closer Mark Melancon picked up his 13th save Tuesday after giving up two earned runs on three hits in the ninth inning of his team's 6-5 win over the Rays.

The Pirates had a three-run lead when Melancon took the mound, and they wound up needing it, as he gave up a two-run single after a wild pitch put both of the previous batters to get a hit in scoring position. He's now surrendered three runs in his last two outings, but he delivered a save in each. Melancon owns a 2.48 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 33:6 K:BB ratio in 36 1/3 innings.

Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller has been diagnosed with back tightness after exiting in the third inning of Tuesday's game against the Rockies, the team announced.

Miller gave up three earned runs on six hits and five walks in 2 2/3 innings while striking out two. All three of the runs he allowed came in the first inning. Miller owns a 3.75 ERA and 66:46 K:BB ratio in 93 2/3 innings. His status for Sunday's scheduled start against the Dodgers is up in the air.

Diamondbacks pitcher Daniel Hudson will probably begin a rehab assignment in August before returning to the major-league team in September, FOXSportsArizona.com reports.

Hudson threw 20 pitches in a simulated game Tuesday as he continues to work his way back from multiple elbow surgeries. His last game action came back in June 2012.

Cardinals pitcher (hamstring) Joe Kelly is scheduled to make his first rehab start Friday for Triple-A Memphis and will throw up to 60 pitches, reports Fox Sports. The website said Kelly might need only two rehab starts before rejoining the rotation.

Diamondbacks pitcher Daniel Hudson (elbow) is scheduled to pitch off a mound Tuesday against outfielder Mark Trumbo (foot), per The Arizona Republic. Although they are getting closer to returning, the Diamondbacks continue to be cautious with both players.

"They're taking extra time the second time (with Hudson)," manager Kirk Gibson said, "and although Trumbo feels good and wants to go-go-go, medically I think there's enough experience that if you go too fast you go backwards. So you have to be cautious about that."