MLB Player News

The Giants announced Thursday they placed reliever Santiago Casilla on the 15-day disabled list due to a strained right hamstring. Reliever George Kontos was recalled from Triple-A Fresno.

Pirates reliever Mark Melancon made quick work of the Orioles Wednesday, as he closed out a 9-8 win with just 10 pitches.

Melancon tossed a perfect ninth inning, recording one out by flyball and striking out two hitters. He picked up his seventh save in nine chances, though it could be one of his last, with Jason Grilli on the verge of return.  

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen entered Wednesday's game against the Mets with a two-run lead, and he needed both to lock down the win.

Jansen allowed a one-run triple to Juan Lagares, who came around to score on an RBI groundout one batter. That brought David Wright up as the potential tying run with two outs, but Jansen set him down on strikes to end the game.

Jansen has had his struggles this season, but is now 13 for 15 on save tries. He has a 4.35 ERA in 20 2/3 innings, while striking out 34 batters.  

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman tossed his first perfect inning Wednesday, in a 2-1 win over the Nationals.

 Coming off a blown save, Chapman settled down nicely Wednesday, setting the Nationals down in order. He struck out two batters and needed just 13 pitches to close out the game for his third save.

Chapman has been a bit rusty since coming back from the disabled list, but still has three saves in five appearances, while allowing two runs in six innings of work, with 11 strikeouts, three walks and three hits.

The Nationals optioned reliever Ryan Mattheus to Triple-A Syracuse following Wednesday's game against the Reds, to make room on the active roster for Blake Treinen .

Treinen will start Thursday's game against the Pirates, in Gio Gonzalez's place. 

Mets starter pitcher Rafael Montero struggled through his second career start Tuesday, in a 9-4 loss to the Mets.

Montero allowed just one run in the first four innings of his outing, before Dodgers chased in an early exit in the fifth inning. He was charged with five runs on seven hits and four walks, while striking out four batters in 4 1/3 innings of work.

Montero has struggled in his first two major-league starts, allowing eight runs in 10 1/3 innings. He will likely get one more chance to prove himself before the team needs to make a decision on Dillon Gee's rotation spot. Montero is set to make his next start Sunday against the Diamondbacks.

The Rockies optioned pitcher Chris Martin to Triple-A Colorado Springs after activating Michael Cuddyer (hamstring) off the 15-day disabled list Tuesday. Martin has a 4.15 ERA in nine relief appearances for Colorado.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman worked two innings on Monday and was unable to lock down the save in a 4-3 win over the Nationals in extras.

Chapman surrendered a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning, sending the game to extras. It was his first blown save of the season. He owns a 3.60 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP in five innings of relief.

Nationals pitcher Blake Treinen will pick up a spot start Thursday against the Pirates.

Treinen will take the place of Gio Gonzalez in the team's rotation. Gonzalez hit the 15-day disabled list due to arm inflammation. Treinen started one game this year, tossing five scoreless innings against the Dodgers.

Pirates reliever Mark Melancon needed just 13 pitches to complete a perfect ninth inning for the save in Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Yankees in New York. He is now 6 for 8 in save chances with a 2.25 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP in 20 innings of work.