MLB Player News

Mets manager Terry Collins said Monday the team isn't "ignoring" starting pitcher prospect Rafael Montero, who isn't on the 40-man roster, as an option for the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Nationals, according to The Bergen Record. Montero has gone 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA in eight starts since being promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Rockies starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz is back from Double-A Tulsa to start Monday's game against the Marlins. Pomeranz, who is 0-3 with a 8.76 ERA in three starts, is hoping to lock down the final spot in the team's rotation.

"I just have to be able get ahead of hitters and command my pitches," he said, per The Denver Post. "If I can do that, I know I can pitch up here."

Pomeranz is working on adding a slider to his repertoire to use against right-hander hitters, but it's hardly a finished product.

"He'll throw some sliders, but I don't know if it'll be a big factor -- it's a pitch that's just been introduced to him," manager Walt Weiss said. "I don't think he'll rely on it heavily. Hopefully, in time, that will become a nice weapon for him."

Pedro Strop would be "one of the higher candidates" to close should the Cubs choose to trade Kevin Gregg, manager Dale Sveum told the Chicago Sun-Times.

Strop posted a brutal 7.25 ERA with Baltimore but hasn't allowed a run in eight appearances for Chicago. He excelled in a set-up role for Baltimore last year, as he posted a 2.44 ERA in 66 1/3 innings.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen earned his 11th save Saturday night against the Nationals.

Jansen entered in the 10th inning with a two-run lead. The right-hander struck out two and needed 11 pitches to retire the side in order in a 3-1 win. He has a 2.25 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 48 innings.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman entered Saturday's game against the Pirates in the ninth inning with a one-run lead.

The left-hander allowed an infield single to Andrew McCutchen and Pedro Alvarez to reach base on a throwing error before retiring the next three batters to preserve a 4-3 win and his 23rd save/ Chapman has a 2.66 ERA in 40 2/3 innings.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel struck out three in a scoreless ninth inning Friday, allowing no hits and walking one while earning his 27th save in a 6-4 win over the White Sox.

Kimbrel has struck out 10 in four innings over his last four appearances (all saves) while giving up just one hit and a walk. He owns a 1.49 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 57:13 K:BB ratio in 36 1/3 innings.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman earned his 22nd save in his team's 5-3 win over the Pirates Friday, striking out two batters while allowing one hit and no walks in a scoreless ninth inning. Chapman had given up one run in each of his final two appearances heading into the All-Star break, but he dropped his ERA to 2.72 and his WHIP to 1.11 Friday.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen earned his 10th save of the season Friday, striking out two while allowing no walks or hits in his team's 3-2 win over the Nationals. Jansen's K:BB ratio improved to 67:8. He's posted a 2.28 ERA in 47 1/3 innings.

Mets starting pitcher prospect Rafael Montero, who threw a scoreless inning during Sunday's All-Star Futures Game, has seen his numbers take a turn for the worse since being promoted from Double-A Binghamton to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Montero is 1-2 with a 4.36 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in seven starts for Las Vegas.

Montero has been hit hard since his promotion. After allowing 51 hits in 66 2/3 innings and posting a .204 opponents' batting average with Binghamton, the right-hander has allowed 40 hits in 33 innings and has a .303 opponents' batting average with Las Vegas.

His strikeout-to-walk ratio also has gotten worse since leaving Binghamton. Montero had 72 strikeouts to 10 walks in 11 starts at Double-A and now has 29 strikeouts to 10 walks in seven starts at Triple-A.

Rockies pitcher Drew Pomeranz gave up seven runs in a Double-A start Tuesday.

Pomeranz is expected to start in the majors Monday, and was getting in some extra work at Double-A Tulsa. Pomeranz gave up seven runs over 5 1/3 innings. He was clobbered for 10 hits. Pomeranz has a 8.76 ERA in three starts in the majors.