MLB Player News

Mets pitcher Carlos Torres picked up his first save of the season Monday, giving up one earned run on three hits in 2 2/3 innings while striking out two in his team's 7-3 win over the Diamondbacks.

Torres entered the game in the seventh inning with his team up 5-2, and he threw 35 pitches (25 strikes) while recording the final eight outs of the game to earn his first career save. He's 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA and 11:4 K:BB ratio in 8 2/3 innings.

The Phillies optioned pitcher Luis Garcia to Triple-A Lehigh Valley after Monday's loss to the Braves.

Garcia was called upon after the Braves hit three consecutive home runs in the eighth inning and retired all three batters he faced, one via strikeout. It was his only appearance with the Phillies before being sent back down.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel is dealing with shoulder soreness, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Kimbrel wasn't used in a save situation Monday even though he hadn't pitched in Sunday's game, and it turns out he's dealing with an injury that's thought to be minor. The team would likely turn to Jordan Walden if Kimbrel needs a break, though Walden was unavailable Monday after pitching the previous three days.

Phillies pitcher Jacob Diekman took the loss Monday after giving up four earned runs on two hits and two walks in the ninth inning of his team's 9-6 defeat at the hands of the Braves.

Diekman (1-1) was handed a 6-5 lead to begin the ninth, and while he did strike out three batters in the frame, he also surrendered a game-sealing grand slam to Dan Uggla. Both teams decided to rest their closers in this game, and the bullpens went on to give up 12 runs in the eighth and ninth inning combined. Diekman owns a 8.59 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB ratio in 7 1/3 innings.

Marlins pitcher Brad Hand only made it through three innings Monday, giving up five earned runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out two in his team's 9-2 loss to the Nationals.

Hand (0-1) sat in the strike zone throughout the start, allowing the Nationals to get multiple hits in each inning of work. He owns a 6.35 ERA and 9:6 K:BB ratio in 11 1/3 innings over four appearances (two starts). Hand is scheduled to face the Mariners Sunday, but the Marlins could decide to skip his start with the team off Thursday.

The Diamondbacks transferred pitcher David Hernandez to the 60-day disabled list Monday. The move is strictly procedural, as Hernandez is recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman (head) said his bullpen session Monday went well. Chapman mixed in fastballs and sliders during a 25-pitch session.

"He threw the ball outstanding, he threw all his pitches, including his slider," manager Bryan Price said, per the Cincinnati Enquirer. "He was sharp, extremely enthusiastic. He was happy to be out there, as we all were. We were all out there to watch it. It was exciting."

Chapman is expected to throw more bullpens before moving onto facing live hitters. Chapman isn't expected to throw again until Thursday at the earliest.

"It's an obvious and essential step to the next thing, which will be live batting practice and game situations," Price said. "I think facing batters will be the biggest hurdle for him initially, but we haven't seen any reason to believe he's anything other than optimistic about getting back on the mound and facing hitters."

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen made quick work of the Diamondbacks on Sunday, collecting his fourth save of the season in his team's 8-6 win.

Jansen struck out two and needed only 13 pitches to retire the side in order to preserve the win. He is 4 for 5 in save chances with a 3.86 ERA and 1.86 WHIP in his first seven innings pitched.

Brewers reliever Will Smith earned a rare one-out save Sunday afternoon against the Pirates. The left-hander came in for Kyle Lohse with two outs in the ninth and struck out Pedro Alvarez for the final out of the game.

Smith has yet to surrender a run this season and owns a 1.11 ERA over 6 1/3 innings pitched.

Cubs manager Rick Renteria said Sunday he will use Pedro Strop, Blake Parker, Hector Rondon and Justin Grimm in save situations after removing Jose Veras from the closer's role.

"They give me various options," Renteria said, per MLB.com. "You still have to put them in situations where they feel comfortable."