MLB Player News

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.

Pirates reliever Mark Melancon blew just his second save since becoming the team's closer Wednesday, in a 3-2 loss to the Padres.

Melancon was tagged for two runs on four hits in the ninth inning, as he blew a 2-1 lead. He struck out one, while throwing 14 of 19 pitches for strikes in the outing.

Melancon has 16 saves on the season, including 13 in 15 tries since the All-Star break. He has allowed four runs in eight innings in the month of September, his highest total for any month this season.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel worked another perfect ninth Wednesday, to save his 48th game of the season in a 5-2 win over the Nationals.

Kimbrel faced the minimum and needed just 12 pitches to finish the inning. He struck out one, to give him 90 in 62 innings on the season. Kimbrel lowered his ERA to 1.31, while his WHIP fell to 0.89. 

Cardinals starter Joe Kelly was forced to leave Tuesday's start against Colorado after five innings with calf tightness, MLB.com reports.

Kelly still managed five scoreless innings and the victory. According to manager Mike Matheny, the move was largely precautionary and may not have been necessary had the Cardinals not built a big lead. The injury sounds like one of the bumps and bruises of a 162-game season, and Kelly is expected to make his next scheduled start.

Cardinals starter Joe Kelly (9-4) turned in a solid outing as he earned his ninth win of the season Tuesday night at Colorado. The right-hander permitted only three hits and two walks while striking over five scoreless innings of an 11-4 victory.

Kelly has allowed one earned run or fewer in seven of his last three starts. He is scheduled to make his next start Sunday night at Milwaukee. He is 0-2 with a 7.88 ERA in four appearances (one start) against the Brewers.

Craig Kimbrel blew his fourth save of the season, but his first since May 7, as the Braves lost to the Nationals, 6-5, in the first game of a Tuesday doubleheader. After loading the bases, Kimbrel allowed one run to score on a fielder's choice and then the tying and winning runs due to a fielding error by Andrelton Simmons.

In one-third of an inning, Kimbrel allowed a single and two walks, and two of the three runs that scored were earned. He is now 3-3 with a 1.33 ERA.

Taking Jorge De La Rosa's place, Rockies pitcher Collin McHugh got the call to start Monday at home against the Cardinals. Although he didn't end up factoring into the decision, McHugh was outstanding in his performance.

The starter allowed just one earned run on four hits and no walks over five innings and 72 pitches. His bullpen allowed his lead to evaporate after he left and he settled for the no-decision. He struck out two and lowered his ERA to 7.94 on the year.

Making his second start since coming over from the Mets -- and first since July 27 -- McHugh was solid on Monday night. That said, he's not expected to remain in the rotation as this was just considered a spot start for the Rockies.

Rockies pitcher Drew Pomeranz made his first appearance in two months Monday night at home against the Cardinals. Pomeranz pitched the sixth inning for Colorado.

Pomeranz, who has battled a biceps injury and forearm tightness, returned with a scoreless inning with one hit allowed and a strikeout. He needed 13 pitches and his ERA on the year is at 7.64.