MLB Player News

Mets pitcher Carlos Torres was scheduled to start Saturday against the Royals, but an extra-innings game Friday forced him into action. Torres pitched two innings of scoreless relief, allowing two hits and throwing 28 pitches to earn the win, in a 4-2 in, in 11 innings.

Obviously, pitching Friday pushes Torres out of consideration for Saturday's start. Jeremy Hefner will pitch Saturday instead, and it is not yet known if Torres will re-join the rotation in the next turn. 

Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller got off to a quick start and received plenty of support in a 13-3 win over the Reds.

Miller cruised through the first five innings, before appearing to run out of steam short of a quality start. Miller struck out eight and allowed just two hits and two walks in the first five innings, but was no longer fooling Reds' hitters in the sixth. Miller was tagged for three runs and chased without recording an out in the sixth inning.

Miller was charged with three runs on five hits and three walks, while striking out eight hitters in five innings of work. He earned an easy win to push him to 11-7 on the season, while his ERA rose to 2.89.

Miller has not allowed more than three runs in any of his last five starts, but is just 2-2 in that span, as he has struggled to get deep into games at times. He will make his next start Wednesday against the Dodgers. 

The Mets placed reliever Josh Edgin on the 15-day disabled list with a hairline fracture of a left rib. Reliever Pedro Feliciano was selected from Triple-A Las Vegas to replace Edgin on the active roster.

Edgin has a 3.77 ERA in 28 2/3 innings this season. 

The Pirates have optioned reliever Vic Black to Triple-A Indianapolis, MLB.com reports. After posting a 2.31 ERA in 35 innings at Indianapolis, Black allowed two runs on six hits in four MLB innings.

Joe Kelly (2-3) tossed six scoreless innings for his second victory as the Cardinals beat the Pirates Thursday night at PNC Park. The right-hander permitted three hits and four walks while striking out four in an 13-0 victory.

Kelly has allowed only two earned runs over his last 12 2/3 innings pitched. He is scheduled to make his next start Tuesday at home against the Dodgers. He owns a 4.13 ERA over 11 appearances (two starts) at home.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen struck out the side on 12 pitches in the ninth to convert his 15th save of the season Thursday night against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Jansen has converted eight consecutive saves since suffering a blown save on June 29. His ERA has dropped from 2.41 to 2.11 over that span. The right-hander has yet to allow a run over his last six innings pitched.

Mets pitcher Carlos Torres, who is currently part of a six-man rotation, tossed a scoreless inning of relief Wednesday at Miami. Manager Terry Collins said he doesn't plan to make using starters in a relief role between starts the norm, but he needed Torres because Bobby Parnell and LaTroy Hawkins were unavailable, according to ESPN.

Torres is still scheduled to start Saturday against the Royals.

Pirates reliever Mark Melancon picked up his third save in a week Wednesday, as he closed out a 5-4 win over the Cardinals.

Melancon tossed a perfect ninth in the game, striking out one hitter and retiring the side on 11 pitches. He now has three saves in three chances since being given the closer's role, to go with his 0.88 ERA and National League-leading 26 holds. 

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman was called on to close out Wednesday's game against the Padres, after starter Homer Bailey faltered in the ninth.

Chapman, who entered the game with a runner on second and a three-run lead with one out, quickly retired two hitters to finish the game. He struck out one batter and ended the inning in 12 pitches for his 25 save in 29 chances.

Chapman ranks fifth in the National League in saves, while posting a 2.98 ERA. 

Despite the signing of Brian Wilson, a former All-Star closer who saved 48 games in 2010, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly does not think Kenley Jansen's job is in trouble. Mattingly told MLB.com he expects Wilson to pitch in a set up role, with Jansen remaining the closer.

"[Wilson's] going to earn whatever he gets," Mattingly said. "We want to put him in a position to have success. Kenley is going to get the ball in the ninth and everyone else is going to get the ball to him."

Jansen has 14 saves and a 2.15 ERA on the season, with 74 strikeouts in 54 1/3 innings.