MLB Player News

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. 

Reds reliever Aroldis Chapman has started doing light workouts, according to MLB.com.

Chapman has been out since March 19 after being hit in the face with a line drive. Manager Bryan Price said Chapman hasn't started doing any baseball activity yet, but it's encouraging to see him moving around. Chapman was expected to be out 4 to 6 weeks following his surgery.

Marlins reliever Brad Hand pitched well out of the bullpen in his second appearance of the season Friday, as he earned a three-inning save in an 8-2 win over the Padres.

Hand entered the game in relief of starter Tom Koehler, who beat him out for the final rotation spot in the spring. Hand pitched three hitless innings, walking three batters and striking out two while throwing 20 of 39 pitches for strikes.

Hand is probably next in line for a starting opportunity if the need arises for the Marlins. For now, he will continue pitching out of the bullpen, where he has tossed five scoreless innings to open the season. 

Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller endured a rough outing on Friday, as he was pegged with the loss against the Pirates in Pittsburgh.

Miller (0-1) had a hard time keeping the ball inside the park, serving up two homers to Pedro Alvarez and one home run to Travis Ishikawa. He was charged with five runs on six hits and three walks while striking out two over 5 1/3 innings pitched in a 12-2 defeat.

Miller will look to bounce back in his home debut Wednesday against Cincinnati.

While many closers have blown saves early this season, Craig Kimbrel continued Friday to shut down one and all. He blanked the Nationals in the ninth for his third save.

Kimbrel retired Washington in order and in style, striking out two. He fanned Ian Desmond and Jose Lobaton to start the inning before enducing Kevin Frandsen to pop out. Kimbrel is the first closer in the majors this year to reach three saves.

Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson said pitcher Daniel Hudson, who is recovering from his second Tommy John surgery since 2012, is expected back around June or July.

"He threw his second or third bullpen the other day and was just awesome," Gibson said, per MLB.com. "We're looking at right around a July return, something like that, either June or July if everything goes good."

When he does return, it appears Hudson will be converted to a reliever.

"I think we would not do that," Gibson said this week about Hudson returning as a starter. "It probably would be more in the bullpen."

Rockies reliever Mark Belisle is no closer, but he still earned a blown save Thursday against Miami with a brutal performance.

The veteran right-hander entered with his team clinging to a 5-4 lead and exited responsible for an 8-5 deficit that proved to be the final score.

Belisle started out fine by retiring two of the first three batters he faced. He then surrendered three of the four singles he gave up, as well as a walk, to throw the game away and raise his earned run average to 18.00.

With closer Jose Veras getting the day off after throwing 38 pitches during Wednesday's 16-inning game, the Cubs turned to reliever Pedro Strop to close out Thursday's game against the Pirates. He got the job done in a 3-2 win.

Strop gave up a leadoff single to Neil Walker, but he got Gaby Sanchez to pop out on a bunt and then Tony Sanchez lined into a double play to end the game. Strop was involved in both plays, as he caught Gaby Sanchez's failed bunt attempt and snagged Tony Sanchez's liner before throwing to first base to double off Walker.

Strop has opened the season with three straight scoreless appearances, allowing two hits and striking out three in three innings.

Reds pitcher J.J. Hoover picked up his first win of the season Wednesday, walking one and striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning before his team went on to beat the Cardinals, 1-0.

Hoover struggled during spring training but turned in a strong debut. He should be the first option for saves in Cincinnati until Jonathan Broxton returns from the disabled list.

Diamondbacks pitcher Daniel Hudson will return to the team as a reliever when he's fully recovered from Tommy John surgery later this season, FOXSportsArizona.com reports.

It's the same plan that the Braves used when Kris Medlen returned in the middle of the 2012 season. Hudson look "awesome" throwing off a mound on Tuesday and will continue to rehab from multiple surgeries to his pitching elbow.