MLB Player News

The San Diego Padres have designated left-handed pitchers Colt Hynes and Tommy Layne for assigment in order to make room for Cory Luebke and Joe Wieland on the 40-man roster. 

Hynes, 28, made his major league debut in 2013, with a 9.00 ERA and 2.00 WHIP in 17 innings. he had compiled a 3.59 ERA over seven seasons in the minors, all with the Padres. 

Layne, who will be 29 next week, has pitched in the past two seasons for San Diego, producing a 2.84 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 40 games. He also recorded 31 strikeouts in 25 1/3 IP. 

Cardinals pitcher Joe Kelly has been named the starter for Game 3 of the World Series Saturday in St. Louis.

Kelly made 15 starts and 22 relief appearances for the Cardinals during the regular season, going 10-5 with a 2.69 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 79:44 K:BB ratio in 124 innings. He's made three postseason starts to date, giving up eight earned runs in 16 1/3 innings while the Cardinals have gone 1-2 in his starts.

Cardinals reliever John Axford took over Game 1 of the World Series Wednesday in the sixth inning and promptly struck out the bottom third of the order in a perfect inning of work in his team's 8-1 loss to the Red Sox.

Axford took an interesting trip to the World Series, beginning the season by blowing a save in the Brewers' first game and proceeding to surrender nine runs in 3 1/3 innings during his first four appearances. He was dealt to the Cardinals in late August and managed to close the regular season with 7 2/3 scoreless innings.

After four appearances earlier in the postseason, Axford was the first man out of the bullpen in Game 1 and turned in his first 1-2-3 inning with three strikeouts in either the regular season or postseason.

New Reds manager Bryan Price will not comment on Aroldis Chapman's role next season, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. 

Price said the team will "make that decision as we go forward." Chapman has been one of the best closers in baseball over the past few seasons, but started in the minors. In 63 2/3 innings, Chapman had a 2.54 ERA. 

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he is planning to use Shelby Miller as a long reliever in the World Series. Miller did not pitch during the six-game National League Championship Series, but he was being saved in the event that the team needed a long reliever.

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said that the team is not trying to conserve the rookie's innings, as he could still pitch 14 more innings without being overworked.

Cardinals pitcher Joe Kelly gave up four earned runs on on seven hits, no walks and two home runs while striking out three in five innings as the Cardinals fell to the Dodgers, 6-4, in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series.

Kelly gave up just 10 home runs in 124 innings during the regular season and none in his previous two postseason starts, but Adrian Gonzalez gave the Dodgers the lead for good with a third-inning solo homer. Despite the loss, the Cardinals have two chances to win at home and advance to the World Series. Game 6 is scheduled for Friday.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen picked up his first save in the National League Championship Series Monday night as L.A. took home Game 3 to pull within 2-1 in the series against the Cardinals.

Jansen went 1-2-3 in the ninth inning on 16 pitches.

The closer, who had 28 saves in 32 chances this season with a 1.88 ERA, also had a save in the NLDS against the Braves. He's given up just two hits with seven strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings this postseason.

Cardinals starting pitcher Joe Kelly bounced back from a slow start and left Game 1 of the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers Friday night with a no-decision.

Kelly surrendered a two-run single to Juan Uribe in the third inning for his only damage of the night. He settled down the rest of the way through, as he yielded only two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five over six innings of work. He has allowed five runs -- four earned -- over 11 1/3 innings this postseason.

Cardinals pitcher Joe Kelly will get the start for Game 1 of the NLCS.

Kelly started Game 3 of the NLDS, giving up two earned runs in 5 1/3 inning. He received a no-decision. Kelly will be set to oppose Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke. Kelly had a 2.69 ERA in 124 innings. 

Pirates pitcher Mark Melancon gave up three earned runs on three hits and a walk while recording just two outs in his team's 6-1 loss to the Cardinals Wednesday in Game 5 of the National League Division Series.

Melancon ends his postseason with four earned runs allowed in just 3 2/3 innings of work after giving up just 11 earned runs in 71 innings during the regular season. Wednesday's walk was the first one he issued since August 13.