MLB Player News

Marlins starting pitcher Brad Hand pitched well for three innings before running out of steam in his spot start Wednesday against the Nationals.

Hand opened the outing, his first start of the season, with three shutout innings. Unfortunately, that was about all he had in him, as he ran into trouble in the fourth. Hand was tagged for a three-run home run by Bryce Harper that went far into the third deck in right field, ending his night.

Hand was ultimately charged with three runs on four hits and a pair of walks in 3 1/3 innings. Hand made his first two appearances of the season out of the bullpen, so it wasn't a surprise to see him tire in a start. He will try to get over the hump in his next start, set for Monday against the Nationals.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel inherited two runners with one out in the ninth inning and his team up 4-0, and he was barely able to hang on after giving up two hits and a walk to earn his fourth save of the season in his team's 4-3 win over the Mets Wednesday.

Kimbrel was charged with one earned run in two-thirds of an inning, and he was able to get strikeouts on both of his outs, including one with runners on first and third to end the game. It was the first time Kimbrel gave up a run this season, and he owns a 2.45 ERA and 8:1 K:BB ratio in 3 2/3 innings.

Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller lost his second game of the season Wednesday against the Reds.

Miller was able to pitch around trouble in the first inning. After giving up a leadoff triple to Billy Hamilton, Miller managed to get out of the inning unscathed. He escaped from a similar jam in the third, after giving up a walk and single to consecutive batters. 

Miller gave up his first two runs in the fourth, when Devin Mesoraco was able to take a fastball out to left for a two-run shot. He gave up a third run on a Jay Bruce sac fly in the fifth. The ball wasn't hit deep, but Hamilton was tagging up and third and managed to beat the throw.

Miller gave up seven hits and three walks during the appearance. He struck out five batters. Miller's next start will come against the Brewers.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen blew his first save of the season Tuesday against the Tigers, in a game the team would go on to win 3-2 in extra innings.

Jansen came into the game without much of a cushion, clinging to a 2-1 lead. Unfortunately, he allowed a leadoff double to Ian Kinsler, with that runner eventually coming around to score with two outs to send the game to extras.

Jansen has now allowed two runs in five innings through six appearances, with seven hits and three walks allowed. He also has struck out nine batters and saved two games.  

Cubs pitcher Pedro Strop was charged with the loss Tuesday after giving up one earned run on two walks and striking out one for his only out in his team's 7-6 loss to the Pirates.

Strop (0-1) looked like a potential ninth-inning candidate after Jose Veras dealt with control issues over the first week, but it was Strop who couldn't find the strike zone Tuesday, throwing only six of his 14 pitches for strikes. He owns a 2.45 ERA and 4:2 K:BB ratio in 3 2/3 innings.

Marlins pitcher Jacob Turner will have his turn in the rotation skipped at least once, after he suffered a shoulder strain during batting practice Tuesday. Turner has been scratched from his scheduled start Wednesday against the Nationals, with Brad Hand set to replace him, according to the Miami Herald.

The extent of the injury is not yet known, nor is it known exactly how he suffered it. Turner's next turn in the rotation is set for the following Monday against the Nationals, but it is known whether he will be expected to make it. 

Mets reliever Vic Black has landed on the disabled list at Triple-A Las Vegas with a pinched nerve in his neck, per ESPN. However, the injury is considered minor.

Black resumed throwing Sunday and should be activated from the DL later this week. However, the injury is not being linked to Black's control issues this spring.

Reds reliever Aroldis Chapman was able to play catch Saturday, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. 

The club wants to be cautious with Chapman as he attempts to come back after being hit with a come-backer during spring. Trainer Paul Lessard said Chapman has started doing cardio work as well. As of Sunday, Chapman hasn't experienced an concussion symptoms after working out Saturday.

Cardinals pitcher Joe Kelly picked up a win in his season debut Saturday, giving up one earned run on six hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings while striking out four in his team's 6-1 victory over the Pirates.

The run came as the result of back-to-back walks in the third inning that followed two singles, all with two outs, but Kelly was able to get the third out after giving up the run to limit the damage. He was pulled after hitting a batter in the sixth inning and left with two men on base, neither of which came around to score. Kelly is expected to make his next start Friday against the Cubs.

Reds closer J.J. Hoover had a big meltdown in his first save opportunity of the season Saturday.

Hoover had control issues, walking the first batter he faced. There was some controversy in the next at-bat. Anthony Recker attempted to bunt Juan Lagares over to second, but Lagares was ruled out on the play. After a review, it was determined Lagares was safe. Hoover gave up another walk to load the bases, which brought up a pinch-hitting Ike Davis.

The at-bat lasted just two pitches. Davis hit a walkoff grand slam on a 73 mph curveball. Hoover finished the game without recording an out. He gave up one hit, two walks and four earned runs.