MLB Player News

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.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel pitched a scoreless bottom of the ninth inning during Sunday's 6-5 win at St. Louis to secure his 11th save.

Kimbrel was called on to close out Sunday's game after Cardinals closer Trevor Rosenthal blew a one-run lead in the top of the ninth. Kimbrel allowed a one-out single to Matt Adams, who moved up to second base on a wild pitch. However, Kimbrel worked out of the jam and finished off the win with a strikeout of Peter Bourjos.

Sunday's save was Kimbrel's first since May 10.

Rockies reliever Matt Belisle has seen an increase in his velocity and effectiveness over the last month, and MLB.com reports a change in mechanics can take much of the credit.

"We've been getting him on his back leg and creating a load," pitching coach Jim Wright said. "He was just leaving the rubber too soon. Then you get more arm, you lose your angle and your confidence and your focus. It was just getting him back on his back leg and getting him a chance to get everything on time again."

Belisle had a 6.55 ERA through 12 appearances before making the change. Since, he has tossed five scoreless outings, while seeing the velocity on his fastball increase up to five miles per hour. 

Cardinals starter Shelby Miller dominated the Braves on Saturday, scattering one unearned run on five hits in seven innings, improving to 6-2 on the year.

Miller struck out seven and walked two in 101 pitches, 72 for strikes. His ERA now stands at 2.79 through his first nine starts. Over his last three starts covering 17 1/3 innings, Miller has allowed only four earned runs.

Following a 4-1 home victory, Miller will make his next start Friday in Cincinnati. He allowed trhee runs in six innings in a loss to the Reds on April 9, his previous meeting against Cincinnati.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman is still working his way back into game shape, as he struggled a bit in closing out a 3-0 win over the Phillies Friday.

Chapman walked one batter and allowed a in the ninth inning, both of which came with two outs. Fortunately, he struck out a pinch-hitter to end the threat and the game for his second save.

Chapman has pitched three innings since returning from the disabled list, allowing one run while walking three batters and allowing two hits. He also has seven strikeouts, including at least two in each appearance. 

Though both pitched well in their major-league debuts this week, the Mets will only be able to keep one of their rookies in the rotation long term.

Manager Terry Collins told MLB.com Friday only one of Rafael Montero and Jacob deGrom will keep his job when Dillon Gee is able to return from the disabled list. That is expected to come May 26, so both pitchers will be fighting for a job in their next few turns in the rotation. 

Cubs reliever Pedro Strop will move his rehab to the team's spring training facility in Ariz., early next week, reports MLB.com Friday.

Strop, who has been out since May 7 with a strained left groin, will begin working out, though it is not clear when he is expected to return to game action. 

Pirates temporary closer Mark Melancon not only blew a save and took the loss Thursday in Milwaukee. He couldn't even register an out.

Melancon surrendered a single and two walks before a Khris Davis two-run single closed out a 4-3 defeat. Melancon had nailed down his previous four save opportunities, but has yielded at least one baserunner in six of his last seven appearances.

He will give the role away upon the impending return of Jason Grilli.

Mets starting pitcher Rafael Montero didn't have the lights out MLB debut many of us were hoping for, but he still put in a pretty good effort Wednesday against a good offensive team in the Yankees.

Perhaps the most disappointing stat was the two home runs he allowed in six innings. He allowed all of 19 home runs over 390 innings in the minors. Though, I'm not overly concerned about that after one start. If he continues to give up home runs, then it will be time to worry.

But nothing really surprised me watching Montero pitch Wednesday. He threw strikes and kept the ball low in the strike zone. He also didn't have a problem throwing inside fastballs, which was a reputation he built in the minors. 

Montero only recorded three strikeouts Wednesday, but in his defense the Yankees did a great job fighting off pitches. The Yankees fouled off 39.7 percent of the strikes Montero threw, according to Baseball-Reference.com.

I still believe Montero is a good investment in deep mixed leagues as a back-of-the-rotation arm. Montero has debuted on my starting pitcher rankings at No. 81.

As expected, the Mets have promoted southpaw reliever Josh Edgin from Triple-A Las Vegas to replace the released Kyle Farnsworth.

Edgin hasn't exactly put up impressive numbers in the minors. He owns a 4.97 ERA and has yielded 16 hits and 11 walks in 12 2/3 innings. But he has come on of late with seven consecutive scoreless appearances.