MLB Player News

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen (4-3) struck out two and pitched a perfect ninth inning as he earned the win Tuesday night against the Yankees. The right-hander needed 15 pitched to retire the side in order while the offense won the game in the bottom of the ninth.

Jansen has not surrendered a run over his last five appearances. He owns a 2.15 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP through 54 1/3 innings pitched.

Pedro Strop had compiled a 0.00 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 11.0 strikeouts per nine innings in his first 12 appearances with the Cubs after coming over from the Orioles in early July, earning him manager Dale Sveum's endorsement as the next in line to close if the Cubs traded Kevin Gregg.

And then came Monday night against Brewers, when he allowed five earned runs on three hits and one walk in one-third of an inning.

Well, whatever. He's still next in line to close, in all probability, just because the Cubs have no one else who fits the bill. Plus, if they've viewed him as a closer candidate all along -- and considering they traded for him, I'm guessing they have -- one bad outing wouldn't change their minds.

So yes, I still view Strop as a sleeper for saves, if not the best sleeper for saves considering the Cubs have no incentive whatsoever to hold on to Gregg.

So ... the Dodgers are the winners of the Brian Wilson derby, if you could call it that, and that's fine. Whenever he's ready to come up from the minors, they could use the help. But it doesn't do much for his Fantasy value since they obviously don't need a closer.

Or do they?

Well, no, they don't. But I would have said the same thing with Kenley Jansen cruising in the role at this time last year, before Brandon League entered the picture. He did his best to muddy the waters, even confining Jansen to a setup role to begin 2013.

Maybe the Dodgers have learned from that experience and will just stick Jansen, who's doing everything they need him to do in the ninth inning and more. In fact, I predict they will. But the League debacle gives me enough doubt to take a flier on Wilson in NL-only leagues and to keep Jansen only 17th in my relief pitcher rankings despite his stellar ratios.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman walked Yonder Alonso in the ninth inning Monday in San Diego. That proved to be a costly mistake.

Chapman couldn't record an out as Chris Denorfia pinch-hit for Will Venable in the next at-bat and homered for a walk-off win for the Padres. Chapman took his fourth blown save and the loss to fall to 3-4 on the year.

The Cincinnati closer threw eight pitches to lose the game. His ERA is at 3.02. That is back-to-back appearances in which Chapman has walked a batter and he has 21 free passes over 41 2/3 innings. Of course, he also has 70 strikeouts. Chapman has 24 saves in 28 chances.

Cardinals starter Shelby Miller (10-7) fell one out shy of another quality start and was hit with his seventh loss of the season Sunday night against the Braves at Turner Field. The right-hander allowed three runs -- two earned -- on six hits and two walks while striking out six over 5 2/3 innings pitched in a 5-2 win.

Miller allowed seven earned runs combined over his last four starts (22 2/3 innings). He is scheduled to make his next start Friday at Cincinnati. He is 4-5 with an ERA of 3.98 in 10 starts away from home.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel entered Sunday's contest against the Cardinals in the ninth inning with a three-run lead. The right-hander made quick work of the opposition as he needed only eight pitches to retire the side in order for a 5-2 win and his 31st save of the season.

Kimbrel joined John Smoltz as the only Atlanta pitchers to record 30-plus saves in three different seasons. He has converted 21 consecutive save opportunities since his last blown save on May 7, striking out 41 batters in 26 innings. He owns a 1.34 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP in 40 1/3 innings pitched.

Mets starting pitcher Carlos Torres had his worst starting since joining the rotation Sunday at Washington, allowing eight runs on nine hits and one walk in three innings during a 14-1 loss. He struck out two.

Torres tossed a scoreless first inning before the Nationals scored three times in the second inning on RBI hits from Wilson Ramos and Bryce Harper. Ramos then delievered the big hit in a five-run third inning -- his first career grand slam.

Torres (1-2) would not come out for the fourth inning after putting New York in an 8-0 deficit. He had allowed all of two runs in his first two starts.

The Mets are going with a six-man rotation for the time being, so Torres won't be back on the hill until Saturday against the Royals.

The Rockies optioned starting pitcher Collin McHugh to Triple-A Colorado Springs Sunday, according to The Denver Post. McHugh made his first start for Colorado Saturday against the Brewers, taking the loss after allowing six runs on nine hits in five innings.

The Cardinals are continuing their pursuit of White Sox starting pitcher Jake Peavy and shortstop Alexei Ramirez, according to ESPN. Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez, pitcher Joe Kelly and second base prospect Kolten Wong have reportedly been mentioned as the names also being talked about in the deal.

Relievers J.J. Hoover and Manny Parra has been outstanding out of the Reds' bullpen lately. Hoover hasn't allowed a run in his last 17 innings (14 appearances), while Parra has a 14 2/3 scoreless innings streak (18 appearances) through Saturday's game against the Dodgers.

Hoover, who has lowered his ERA from 5.40 to 3.30, has struck out 21 batters during his scoreless streak, while allowing seven hits and six walks. He also has two wins and one hold in that span.

Parra has struck out 17 during his scoreless innings streak, while walking three and allowing five hits. He's lowered his ERA from 8.44 to 3.55, while picking up one win and four holds in that span.