MLB Player News

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman said he feels ready for a rehab assignment after throwing live batting practice Tuesday. Reds manager Bryan Price said Chapman would likely begin a rehab assignment Thursday with Class A Dayton, if all went well Tuesday.

"Yes, I think I am ready," Chapman said via translator Tomas Vera, per MLB.com. "I believe about four to five games would be good for me before I join the team once again."

Six Brewers relievers combined to pitch six scoreless innings in Monday's 5-3, 12-inning win in St. Louis, the latest superb effort by Milwaukee's bullpen. The pen has a 2.18 ERA, third-best in the majors, and opponents are batting .195, lowest in the majors, reports the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Closer Francisco Rodriguez and Will Smith have yet to allow an earned run, while Tyler Thornburg (0.71 ERA), Brandon Kintzler (1.29) and Zach Duke (1.46) have been lights out too.

"It's unbelievable the job the young guys in the bullpen are doing," said Rodriguez, who is 12 for 12 in save chances. "It's tremendous. ... It's an unbelievable first month. Even though it's still early, I like our chances because (my teammates) are hungry. They go out and compete every single day, which is something I'm proud of."

Reds reliever J.J. Hoover fell to 1-3 this season when he allowed the only run in a 1-0, 10-inning loss to the Braves. Hoover recorded two outs in the bottom of the 10th before Jason Heyward and B.J. Upton singled.

Manny Parra relieved, giving up Freddie Freeman's winning hit. Hoover dropped his third straight decision.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen entered Saturday's game against the Rockies in a pretty tough position, after Brian Wilson put two runners on with no out in the ninth inning.

Jansen allowed one of those inherited runners to score, but was able to get out of the jam to preserve a 6-3 win. He struck out two in his inning of work, for his ninth save in 11 chances.

Jansen has lowered his ERA to 3.21 with five consecutive scoreless outings, and has 26 strikeouts to five walks in 14 innings of work. 

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel picked up his third save in a row Saturday, in a 4-1 win over the Reds.

Kimbrel walked one batter, but retired the side without much issue otherwise. He struck out two while throwing 17 of 21 pitches for strikes en route to his eighth save in nine chances.

Kimbrel has a 2.61 ERS in 10 1/3 innings of work, with 22 strikeouts and five walks.  

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman will throw another live batting practice session Tuesday in Cincinnati, and could go on a minor-league rehab assignment shortly after.

"I would be able to go to the Minor Leagues right now, but to be honest, I need at least one more simulated game," Chapman told MLB.com Saturday. "I think that's what we're going to do -- throw another simulated game before I decide to go somewhere else."

Chapman threw 43 pitches to three different teammates over two simulated innings. He reportedly only had a few batted balls even leave the infield against him, with recently recalled catcher Tucker Barnhart coming away impressed.

"He looked really good, woo. Really, really good," Barnhart said.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman felt fine after his Saturday bullpen session and claimed he was not uneasy over pitching without a screen, MLB.com has reported.

Chapman, who has been out since taking a line drive to the face late in the spring training, would like to take another live BP before heading out on a minor league rehab assignment.

Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller (2-2) fell one out shy of a quality start on Friday, but still managed to come away with his second win of the season in his team's 1-0 victory over the Pirates. He allowed three hits and four walks while striking out four over 5 2/3 scoreless frames.

Miller owns a 3.18 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP with a 26:11 K:BB ratio over 34 innings pitched. He'll make his next start Wednesday against Milwaukee.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel tossed his second straight scoreless outing for his seventh save of the season Friday night against the Reds.

Kimbrel struck out two and worked his way past one hit and one walk in a scoreless ninth for the save in a 5-4 win. He is 7 of 8 in save opportunities, with a 2.89 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP over 9 1/3 innings.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman (head) is scheduled to throw live batting practice for the second time this week on Saturday, MLB.com reports. Chapman's session on Saturday will be more like a simulated game, according to manager Bryan Price.

"We'll probably be able to do something in the neighborhood of 35-40 [pitches] divided into two one-inning situational increments," Bryan Price said. "That in of itself gets him closer to being with us. He still has to get out there and do a rehab and face real hitters in game situations, but because he threw so well and has been so good with his throwing, he's in great throwing shape."

Chapman will likely start a minor-league rehab assignment shortly after Saturday's session.