MLB Player News

While Cubs closer Kevin Gregg checked out OK after getting hit by a line drive off the right shoulder Saturday against the Cardinals, manager Dale Sveum said Sunday he will use setup man Pedro Strop in save situations when Gregg is unavailable.

"There's no plans to put [Strop] there just to see him," Sveum said, per MLB.com.

Sveum said Strop could be a candidate to close games in 2014 since Gregg is only signed through this year, and Kyuji Fujikawa will be coming off Tommy John surgery and might not be available until the second half of the season. However, Sveum warned it's too soon to be looking at closer candidates for next year.

"He seems to be able to handle the eighth inning just fine," Sveum said Sunday. "[Naming the closer next year] is a long way away. Hopefully, you have seven closers out there."

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said starting pitcher Shelby Miller, who left his last start Wednesday against the Dodgers after getting hit by a comebacker on the elbow, will start Wednesday against the Pirates, according to the Belleville (Ill.) News-Democrat. Miller is 0-2 with a 3.86 ERA in two starts against Pittsburgh this season.

Mets starting pitcher prospect Rafael Montero won for the third time in four starts for Triple-A Las Vegas Saturday. Montero allowed one run for the second straight start, while at least going seven innings.

The right-hander is 2-0 with a 1.20 ERA and .120 opponents' batting average in two August starts. He's now 4-3 with a 3.60 ERA in 12 starts for Las Vegas after having some trouble following his promotion from Double-A.

"At times, you'll see guys shy away from the strike zone a little bit because we're here in Vegas," Las Vegas manager Wally Backman said, per MLB.com. "And really just seeing him grow over the course of the time we've had him, the kid just attacks the strike zone now and he's really good when he does it. At 22 years old, to be able to locate his fastball and throw his secondary stuff for strikes when he has to is pretty impressive."

As far as a promotion to the majors in 2013, it seems unlikely, according to ESPN. Montero is at 131 2/3 innings this season after tossing 122 innings in 2012. The Mets are likely to allow Montero to throw another 20-30 innings before being shut down, ESPN reports.

The Diamondbacks optioned reliever David Hernandez to Triple-A after a rough performance on Saturday.

Hernandez allowed a two-run single to Wilmer Flores in the eighth, which broke the game open for the Mets. He allowed two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out one over one inning of work in a 4-1 defeat. He owns a 5.59 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP in 48 1/3 innings of relief in the majors.

Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller threw a side session off flat ground Friday and seems to be feeling no ill effects from taking a line drive off his elbow in his last start. He appears ready to pitch Tuesday against the Pirates, manager Mike Matheny told MLB.com Saturday.

"He seems to have no reservations at all. Medical staff seems to be in the same mindset," Matheny said.

The Cardinals have retooled the rotation for this weekend's series against the Cubs, MLB.com reports.

Lance Lynn will take the mound for Friday's opener, while Michael Wacha will start Saturday. Adam Wainwright will be pushed back to Sunday's series finale. The Cardinals have not announced Tuesday's starter against the Pirates, though Shelby Miller expects to be ready. 

Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller visited a doctor Thursday and told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch he does not expect miss a start.

Miller was struck on the pitching elbow by a batted ball during his last start on Wednesday. He only lasted two pitches. He is scheduled to make his next start Tuesday at home against the Pirates. He is 0-2 with a 3.86 ERA in two starts against the Pirates this season.

Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller has not ruled out making his next scheduled start after exiting Wednesday's loss to the Dodgers, MLB.com reports.

Miller was removed Wednesday after throwing two pitches due to being struck on the pitching elbow by a batted ball but says the ball hit him between two bones. X-rays on his elbow were negative.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel's ninth inning Wednesday did not go as smoothly as usual for the All-Star, but he was able to work out of trouble to close out a 6-3 win.

Facing the top of the Nationals' lineup, Kimbrel allowed a leadoff double followed by a walk, before striking out the next two batters. He then walked the bases loaded and had to face Wilson Ramos, who represented the winning run. Kimbrel induced a line drive out to right field to end the game, securing his 36th save of the season.

Kimbrel is 36 for 39 in save chances, with a 1.19 ERA and 0.95 ERA.  

Pirates closer Mark Melancon tallied his seventh save in his team's 4-2 win over the Marlins Wednesday, allowing one hit while striking out one and walking none in a scoreless ninth inning.

Melancon has only been scored upon in five of his 54 appearances but hasn't allowed multiple earned runs in any of those five games. He owns a 0.84 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 50:7 K:BB ratio in 53 1/3 innings.