MLB Player News

Cubs reliever Pedro Strop got his first chance to close Saturday, and he acquitted himself quit well in a 3-1 win over the Braves. Strop struck out the side on 16 pitches to pick up his first save of the season. 

The Pirates have announced that Jason Grilli will go back to closing games with Mark Melancon back in the setup role, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. Manager Clint Hurdle decided to make the switch.

Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller did not factor into the decision in Friday's 7-6 win over the Brewers, giving up four earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four in six innings.

Miller matched his earned run total from his first three starts of September combined Friday. He goes into his final start of the regular season Wednesday against the Nationals with a 14-9 record, 3.12 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 166:54 K:BB ratio.

Pirates closer Mark Melancon was hung with his fourth blown save after giving up three unearend runs on three hits in the ninth inning of Friday's 6-5, 10-inning loss to the Reds.

Melancon had two outs and a man on first when a throwing error brought one around to score. Two more runs would later score on an infield single. Melancon has blown back-to-back save opportunities but still has a 1.30 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 68:8 K:BB ratio.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman struck out one batter in a 1-2-3 10th inning Friday to earn his 38th save in his team's 6-5 win over the Pirates.

Chapman has only struck out one batter in each of his last two innings yet still has over 100 strikeouts on the season, an impressive achievement for a reliever. He owns a 2.63 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 107:28 K:BB ratio in 61 2/3 innings.

Rockies pitcher Collin McHugh is expected to draw the start for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks, the Denver Post reports. McHugh held the Cardinals to one run in five innings in a spot start Monday and the team is sticking with him this weekend.

Cardinals pitcher Joe Kelly has been cleared to start Saturday against the Brewers.

Kelly has been dealing with calf tightness, which caused him to leave his last start after five innings. He was able to get through a bullpen session Thursday with no issues. Kelly has a 2.74 ERA in 111 2/3 innings. 

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen struck out two batters as part of a 1-2-3 ninth inning as the Dodgers clinched the NL West title with a 7-6 win over the Diamondbacks Thursday.

Jansen's recent performances have been surprisingly bereft of strikeouts, as he entered Thursday's game having not struck out a batter in four of his previous five appearances. With the two strikeouts Thursday, Jansen owns a 104:16 K:BB ratio to go with a 1.95 ERA and 0.86 WHIP in 73 2/3 innings.

Cubs pitcher Pedro Strop will be used as the team's closer the rest of the season, according to MLB.com.

Kevin Gregg will be utilized in a set up role moving forward. The team wants to see if Strop can handle the role, as he's under team control for multiple seasons. Strop has a 4.75 ERA in 53 innings. 

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman walked two batters and gave up a run in the bottom of the 13th inning Wednesday night in Houston. He still managed to end a long game and earn his 37th save.

Chapman entered after Cincinnati finally broke a 4-4 tie with two runs in the top of the 13th. He gave one back on two walks and a hit, but struck out a batter over 22 pitches for the save. His ERA is at 2.67.

Chapman had nine consecutive scoreless appearances before allowing a run Wednesday night. He's now walked four batters in his last two appearances.