MLB Player News

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen worked his way around a base hit and recorded one strikeout in a scoreless frame, securing his sixth save of the season in an 8-6 victory over the Diamondbacks.

Jansen has allowed at least one hit in each of his last three appearances. He is 6 of 8 in save chances with a 4.50 ERA, a 1.90 WHIP and 18:5 K:BB ratio over 10 innings pitched.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel took the mound in a nonsave situation Saturday and didn't deliver a great performance, giving up two earned runs on three hits and one walk while striking out one in two-thirds of an inning in his team's 7-5 win over the Mets.

Kimbrel was making his first appearance in a week after dealing with shoulder soreness, and he wound up beign removed with the bases loaded, as Jordan Walden came in to collect a save. Kimbrel owns a 4.26 ERA and 13:2 K:BB ratio in 6 1/3 innings.

Pitcher Blake Treinen spent his time with the Nationals pitching out of the bullpen, logging 6 2/3 innings over three appearances before being sent down Friday. The team wants Treinen to work as a starter at Triple-A Syracuse, in case he is needed for the rotation down the road.

"He is going to build his innings down there, certainly work on his secondary pitches. He has a pretty electric fastball," manager Matt Williams told MLB.com Friday. "He pitched really well for us."

Treinen will join the rotation Tuesday for Syracuse, a role he is used to. He made 20 of his 21 appearances for Double-A Harrisburg as a starter in 2013, posting a 3.64 ERA over 118 2/3 innings of work. 

Braves reliever Craig Kimbrel is healthy enough to pitch Friday against the Mets, after missing the team's previous four games with shoulder soreness. He told a local sports radio station he is good to go Friday, and will pitch in the event of a save situation.

Kimbrel has been effective when healthy this season, allowing just one run on three hits in 5 2/3 innings, with five saves and 12 strikeouts. 

Nationals pitcher Blake Treinen has been sent back to the minors Friday.

Treinen tossed 2 2/3 innings Thursday night against the Cardinals, giving up one earned run. Overall, he appeared in three games, posting a 1.35 ERA. He struck out seven and walked two in 6 2/3 innings.

Reds reliever Aroldis Chapman has been cleared to throw live batting practice, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. 

Chapman has progressed after he was hit in the face by a line drive during spring training. He's been able to get through bullpen sessions without any issues. That could change when he faces hitters for the first time, so throwing live batting practice will be a significant step in his recovery. 

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen was not sharp yet again Thursday, but still managed to pick up his fifth save of the season in a 2-1 win over the Giants.

Jansen entered the game with a two-run lead and allowed a run on one hit and a walk, the fifth time he has been scored on in 11 outings. He struck out two batters and was able to work out of trouble to close out the win.

Jansen has had an interesting start to the season, posting a 5.00 ERA through his first 11 appearances. He has 17 strikeouts and five walks, while allowing 13 hits in nine innings of work. He has five saves in seven opportunities. 

A hamstring injury sustained Wednesday while attempting to beat out an infield hit has landed Cardinals right-hander Joe Kelly on the 15-day disabled list. He had been sent back to St. Louis for an MRI, the results of which have yet to be revealed.

Kelly has been brilliant in three starts with one earned run surrendered in 15 1/3 innings, though he owns just a 1-1 record. His 0.59 ERA leads the National League.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel threw a 15-pitch side session Wednesday and declared his shoulder good to go, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

While Kimbrel is ready to return to his regular role, manager Fredi Gonzalez may elect to keep him out of Wednesday's game due to the cold weather. The closer owns a 1.59 ERA and 12:1 K:BB ratio along with five saves in 5 2/3 innings.

Cardinals starting pitcher Joe Kelly is headed back to St. Louis Thursday to have his hamstring evaluated after he left Wednesday's game at Milwaukee due to tightness in his left hamstring.

MLB.com suggests Tyler Lyons could replace Kelly in the rotation, if he is unable to make his start Monday against the Mets.