MLB Player News

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel allowed the tying run to reach base to lead off the ninth inning Thursday against the Reds, but he was able to retire the side with little issue after in a 6-5 win.

Kimbrel struck out the next two hitters after allowing a leadoff single to Devin Mesoraco, and he was able to get out of the inning when Zack Cosart flew out to left field. Kimbrel earned his 25 save of the season in 28 tries, and he has a 1.57 ERA in 34 1/3 innings. 

Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller lasted just five innings Wednesday against the Astros after issuing a season-high five walks. Miller heads into the All-Star break on a sour note, going 1-2 with a 6.87 ERA in his last four starts.

"It was just one of those days," Miller said, per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "You go out and you go five innings, walk five guys, and give up five hits. It could have been way worse. It was a learning experience. It’s tough going out there when you don’t have your best stuff."

Miller has been struggling with walks lately. He has issued 12 in his last five starts (23 1/3 innings). Now that he will get a long break because of the All-Star Game, Miller said he will focus on one thing heading into his next start.

"Throw strikes. That’s all I’ve got to work on," Miller said. "My stuff is fine. I’ve just got to get it around the zone, and get it on the corners. Just fill up the zone."

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen pitched the final two innings of Wednesday's 7-5, 14-inning win at Arizona, picking up the relief win and improving to 3-3. Jansen allowed one hit and one walk, while striking out three.

Since returning to the closer's role June 11, Jansen is 2-0 with seven saves, two blown saves and a 2.03 ERA. He also has 19 strikeouts in 13 1/3 innings in his last 12 outings.

Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller struggled a bit with his control Wednesday against the Astros, as he settled for a no-decision in his final start before the All-Star break.

Miller allowed three runs on five hits in five innings, and he had some trouble throwing strikes. He walked five and struck out five, while throwing 56 of 94 pitches for strikes. Miller allowed two runs in the second inning and one more in the fifth, when his outing came to an end.

Miller exited the game in line for the loss, which would have been his seventh of the season, after allowing three runs in five innings. But the St. Louis offense bailed him out shortly after he left the game. The Cardinals won, 5-4.

Miller is set to get some extra time off after the All-Star break, as he will not start until the fourth game. Miller is set to take the mound July 23 against the Phillies. 

The Cardinals announced their post-All-Star break rotation plans, Wednesday, and they will not need a fifth starter for a few weeks, according to MLB.com.  As a result, Joe Kelly will return to the bullpen, with the rotation setting up as follows: Jake Westbrook, Lance Lynn, Adam Wainwright and Shelby Miller. 

Mets manager Terry Collins announced Wednesday reliever Carlos Torres will start Saturday in place of Matt Harvey, who is being skipped because of a blister on his hand. Torres, who is expected to replace Shaun Marcum (shoulder) in the rotation in the second half, was 6-3 with a 3.89 ERA in 12 starts for Triple-A Las Vegas prior to joining the Mets' bullpen in mid-June.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel earned his 24th save in a 6-4 win over the Marlins Tuesday, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning. Kimbrel has given up one earned run on 11 hits and nine walks while striking out 26 in his last 20 innings and lowering his ERA to 1.62.

Mets pitcher Carlos Torres is the likely candidate to fill the rotation spot vacated by Shaun Marcum, who will miss the remainder of the year due to injury.

Torres has made eight relief appearances since joining the team in mid-June, allowing one earned run on eight hits and two walks in 13 2/3 innings while striking out 12. He was 6-3 with a 3.89 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 67:19 K:BB ratio for Triple-A Las Vegas before his promotion.

A Dodgers scout was dispatched to Milwaukee this week to scout Brewers' relievers, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Danny Knobler. While Milwaukee has said Jim Henderson is off limits, the team is willing to discuss trading John Axford, Francisco Rodriguez and Mike Gonzalez. 

"Axford's a risk," said one scout from another team who saw him recently. "His stuff is good, but the command isn't there. I'd be worried about putting him in the eighth inning. K-Rod's changeup is really coming back. He might help someone."

The Dodgers aren't the only team scouting Milwaukee relievers. According to FOXSports.com, the Tigers, Orioles and Diamondbacks have scouted Brewers' relievers, according to major-league sources.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen entered Sunday's series finale against the Giants in the ninth inning with a three-run lead. The right-hander worked his way around a two-out single to Buster Posey and struck out Hunter Pence for the final out to earn his ninth save in a 4-1 win.

Jansen has converted six of his last seven save opportunities. He has a 2.49 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP over his first 43 1/3 innings.