MLB Player News

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.

We are just two days into April, but Braves closer Craig Kimbrel already has two saves after closing out Wednesday's 1-0 win against the Brewers.

Kimbrel, who also had a save Tuesday, tossed a 1-2-3 ninth inning Wednesday, recording one strikeout. Kimbrel has four strikeouts through his first two innings. He struck out the side Tuesday on 19 pitches.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel didn't need long to knock off the cobwebs, as he looked to be in midseason form in his first appearance Tuesday, locking up a 5-2 win over the Brewers.

Kimbrel needed 19 pitches to retire the side in order, throwing 11 of them for strikes. He recorded each out via strikeout in the outing, a feat he accomplished 16 times a year ago.   

Kimbrel has put together a strong three-year run as the team's closer, including a career-best 50 saves a year ago. 

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen had an eventful ninth inning Tuesday, giving up two hits and one walk but holding the opposition scoreless while striking out two to earn his second save in his team's 3-2 win over the Padres.

Jansen had no breathing room with this save opportunity and came close to squandering the lead, alternating singles and outs against the first four batters before striking out his first batter of the game, walking the next to load the bases and closing things out with a swinging strikeout of Padres catcher Nick Hundley. Jansen owns a 3.86 ERA and 4:2 K:BB ratio in 2 2/3 innings.

Diamondbacks pitcher David Hernandez will undergo Tommy John surgery Tuesday.

Hernandez met with Dr. James Andrews Monday, who determined he should have the procedure. Hernandez will likely miss all of 2014 in order to recover. He posted a 4.48 ERA in 62 1/3 innings last year.

Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman will see a doctor Wednesday, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Chapman has not been exercising since he was hit in the face by a come-backer during spring training. He said he feels great, though. Chapman was expected to miss between four and six weeks with the injury.

The Reds have placed both Aroldis Chapman and Jonathan Broxton on the 15-day disabled list.

The news shouldn't come as a surprise for either player. Chapman is expected to be out until May after being hit in the face during a spring game. Broxton needs more time to recover from forearm surgery. Broxton could pick up some saves if he returns to action before Chapman.

Diamondbacks pitcher David Hernandez hit the 15-day disabled list Sunday.

The move is backdated to March 27, but Hernandez isn't expected to return any time soon. He'll have a second opinion on his elbow Monday, but the initial diagnosis was a torn UCL. Hernandez posted a 4.48 ERA in 62 1/3 innings last year.

Diamondbacks pitcher David Hernandez will get a second opinion with Dr. James Andrews Monday after being diagnosed with a torn UCL, FOXSportsArizona.com reports.

Hernandez will undergo Tommy John surgery Tuesday unless he gets a positive result in his doctor's visit the previous day. The Diamondbacks are almost certain to lose a pitcher who went 5-6 with a 4.48 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 66:24 K:BB ratio in 62 1/3 innings last season.