MLB Player News

Rockies reliever Matt Belisle has been struggling, but he adamantly insists he's not injured, the Denver Post reports. Belisle served up a game-winning, two-run home run in the eighth inning Thursday to Marlon Byrd of the Mets. 

His ERA has soared to 9.26 over 11 June appearances with that outing. He has a 16.20 ERA over his last 6 2/3 innings of work. What is more, the 33-year-old has seen a dip in velocity. 

"I'm as healthy as I've ever been," he said Friday. "Give me the ball, no questions asked."

Cardinals pitcher Joe Kelly was called upon in the second inning of Friday's game against the A's and pitched 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball, allowing three hits and three walks while striking out four.

Kelly was called on in the same situation in his last appearance last Friday against the Rangers and delivered five scoreless innings, giving him 10 1/3 innings with just one earned run allowed in his last two relief appearances. He entered that game with a 5.00 ERA that has dropped to 3.86 after Friday's impressive performance.

Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller threw 51 pitches in the second inning of Friday's start against the A's before being pulled, giving up five earned runs on six hits and two walks in 1 2/3 innings to take the loss and drop to 8-6.

Miller, who did not strike out a batter in the team's 6-1 loss Friday, pitched at least five full innings in each of his 15 starts before Friday's rough outing. He takes a 2.79 ERA into next week's start against the Angels.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel walked one batter but was able to work around it for his 23rd save of the season Friday against the Diamondbacks. Kimbrel retired the rest of order in the ninth with three groundballs, needing just 14 pitches to finish off a 3-0 win.

Kimbrel has 23 strikeouts in 26 chances, with a 1.48 ERA. Since his last blown save early in May, Kimbrel has tossed 17 straight scoreless innings. 

The Cubs transferred pitcher Zach Putnam to the 60-day disabled list Friday. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 12 with a bone spur in his elbow.

The Padres have optioned Tommy Layne to Triple-A Tucson, MLB.com reports. Layne has been successful, with a 2.45 ERA in 7 1/3 innings in relief, but the club opted for the right-handed arm in Burch Smith for now. Expect Layne to bounce between the minors and majors this year.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen earned his seventh save with a scoreless ninth inning in a 6-4 win over the Phillies Thursday. Jansen allowed a hit and no walks but failed to get a strikeout for the first time in 13 June appearances.

Jansen has a 2.25 ERA and 58:6 K:BB ratio in 40 innings.

The Brewers are receiving a lot of calls from teams inquiring about potential trade targets, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider.

Teams have inquired about relievers John Axford, Francisco Rodriguez and Mike Gonzalez. There has also been interest in starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo.

Rockies starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz isn't currently listed among Triple-A Colorado Springs' rotation plans, which is a strong indication he will be called up to start Sunday against the Giants, according to The Denver Post. He would replace Juan Nicasio, who was in jeopardy of losing his rotation spot after getting tagged for six runs and 12 hits Tuesday against the Red Sox.

Pomeranz is 8-1 with a 4.20 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 15 starts for Colorado Springs. He has struck out 96 batters in 85 2/3 innings.

Dodgers reliever Kenley Jansen notched his sixth save of the season Wednesday night against the Giants. 

Jansen entered the game for Clayton Kershaw, who gave up a leadoff single to start the inning. The right-hander worked his way around another single as he struck out two and tossed a scoreless ninth to secure a 4-2 win. He has a 2.31 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP in 39 appearances.