MLB Player News

Pirates closer Mark Melancon earned his 10th save during a 5-2 win at Milwaukee Monday.

Melancon struck out the first two batters of the ninth inning before Khris Davis delievered a pinch-hit single. The right-hander put a stop to any mounting threat by getting Norichika Aoki ground out to second base.

The Brewers announed Monday they will recall pitcher Johnny Hellweg and outfielder Sean Halton, and purchase the contract of James Nelson from Triple-A Nashville Tuesday. Nelson is considered the Brewers' top prospect by MLB.com.

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said Hellweg will join the rotation, Nelson will pitch out of the bullpen and Halton will start at first base when a left-handed pitcher is on the hill, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle wouldn't confirm Monday whether Jason Grilli (forearm) will immediately resume his role as closer once he's done with his rehab assignment. Mark Melancon has filled in admirably for Grilli, recording nine saves in his absence.

"We'll talk about that when he gets back," Hurdle said, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "We're in a lot of different discussions now."

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen turned in another sharp outing as he recorded his 24th save of the season Sunday against the Padres. The right-hander needed only 14 pitchers as he struck out two in a scoreless ninth to secure a 2-1 win.

Jansen is 24 of 27 in save opportunities with a 1.86 ERA and a 0.78 WHIP.

Cardinals starting pitcher Joe Kelly allowed one run in six innings, leading St. Louis to a 7-2 win Sunday against the Pirates. Kelly (7-3) allowed two walks and four hits, while striking out five.

The right-hander tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings before Marlon Byrd put Pittsburgh on the board with an RBI single in the sixth inning. Kelly has won four straight starts and earned a seventh straight decision. He hasn't allowed more than two runs in any of his last four starts.

Kelly's next start is slated for a rematch with the Pirates on Friday.

The Diamondbacks recalled relievers David Hernandez and Tony Sipp from Triple-A Reno Sunday. Hernandez is 4-6 with a 5.59 ERA in 48 relief appearances, while Sipp is 3-1 with a 3.86 ER in 48 relief appearances fort Arizona.

The Padres recalled pitcher Tommy Layne and catcher Chris Robinson from Triple-A Tucson Sunday. Layne has a 2.45 ERA in nine relief appearances, while Robinson has yet to make an appearance for San Diego.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen recorded his 23rd save in Saturday's win over San Diego.

Jansen struck out the side in order to close it out in style. Jansen now has an absurd 98 strikeouts to 12 walks in 66 2/3 innings and hasn't blown a save in 16 chances.

The San Diego Padres have reinstated outfielder Kyle Blanks from the 15-day disabled list Saturday, MLB.com reports. The Padres have optioned reliever Anthony Bass to Triple-A Tucson to make room. 

Bass made two appearances during this stint with the club. He gave up five runs his last time out over 1 2/3 innings against the Dodgers. 

Blanks has hit .256/.318/.425 with eight home runs and 34 RBI in 219 at-bats as he returns for San Diego. He was out since July 12 due to an Achilles injury. 

Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller fell to 12-9 Friday, giving up five earned runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out three in 4 1/3 innings in his team's 5-0 loss to the Pirates.

Miller gave up six earned runs in three starts combined after his two-pitch start earlier in August. The five runs matches a season high for Miller, who gave up five runs in 1 2/3 innings in a start in late June. He brings a 3.13 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 154:44 K:BB ratio into Wednesday's start against the Reds.