MLB Player News

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel picked up a rare two-out save Sunday night against the Angels. Kimbrel struck out Josh Hamilton and Howie Kendrick to secure a 7-3 victory. He has converted 20 of 23 save chances, with a 1.98 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP in 27 1/3 innings of relief.

Rockies reliever Matt Belisle (2-2) struck out one in a perfect inning of work for the win Sunday afternoon against the Giants in San Francisco. Belisle owns a 4.82 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP in 28 innings of work this season.

The Giants optioned pitcher George Kontos back down to Triple-A Fresno and reinstated reliever Santiago Casilla from the 15-day disabled list, the San Francisco Chronicle reports Sunday.

With Daisuke Matsuzaka forced out after one inning due to an upset stomach, Mets reliever Carlos Torres came on and pitched four innings of one-run ball in Sunday's 3-1 win over the Padres. Torres (3-4) struck out four, walked one and allowed three hits while lowering his ERA to 3.43.

It was easily his longest outing of the year.

The Mets announced Sunday starting pitcher Rafael Montero left his start Saturday for Triple-A Las Vegas due to a left oblique strain.

Mets pitching prospect Rafael Montero left Saturday's start for Triple-A Las Vegas with an injury to his left side, reports ESPN. He's 4-2 with a 3.75 ERA in 11 starts at Triple A, with 49 strikeouts in 50 1/3 innings.

Montero, who had to leave Saturday's game after five pitches, went 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA in four major-league starts earlier this year.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen gave up a leadoff home run in the ninth inning Saturday but still slammed the door to earn his 19th save in his team's 6-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

Jansen was able to get two quick outs after giving up the home run then notched a strikeout to end the game. It was the third home run Jansen has allowed this season, and it was his second straight day giving up a run while successfully converting a save opportunity. He owns a 3.86 ERA and 47:11 K:BB ratio in 28 innings.

Reds pitcher J.J. Hoover was hung with a loss Saturday after giving up a two-run home run in the eighth inning of his team's 4-2 defeat against the Brewers.

Hoover (1-5) has struggled with the home run this season, and Saturday's was his seventh in just 30 innings of action over 27 appearances. He owns a 5.40 ERA and 35:19 K:BB ratio this season.

Brewers pitcher Will Smith was awarded a win Saturday after giving up one earned run on a solo home run while striking out two in the eighth inning of his team's 4-2 victory over the Reds.

Smith (1-0) has enjoyed a fantastic season to date, but his first home run of the season came Saturday to put his team in a 2-2 tie. The Milwaukee offense was able to regain the lead in the bottom of the eighth and give Smith his first win of the year as a result. He owns a 1.14 ERA and 40:14 K:BB ratio in 31 2/3 innings.

Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller didn't factor into Saturday's decision after surrendering one earned run on four hits and four walks in 6 2/3 innings while striking out seven in his team's 4-1 win over the Nationals.

Miller gave up a run on a double in the top of the first inning but was able to strand a runner on third base to end the first frame. He pitched well up to the seventh, when he walked back-to-back batters with two outs to load the bases before being removed for a reliever, who ended the potential rally. Miller owns a 3.42 ERA and 60:38 K:BB ratio in 84 1/3 innings after back-to-back quality starts. He'll face the Phillies Thursday.