MLB Player News

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel worked another perfect ninth Wednesday, to save his 48th game of the season in a 5-2 win over the Nationals.

Kimbrel faced the minimum and needed just 12 pitches to finish the inning. He struck out one, to give him 90 in 62 innings on the season. Kimbrel lowered his ERA to 1.31, while his WHIP fell to 0.89. 

Cardinals starter Joe Kelly was forced to leave Tuesday's start against Colorado after five innings with calf tightness, MLB.com reports.

Kelly still managed five scoreless innings and the victory. According to manager Mike Matheny, the move was largely precautionary and may not have been necessary had the Cardinals not built a big lead. The injury sounds like one of the bumps and bruises of a 162-game season, and Kelly is expected to make his next scheduled start.

Cardinals starter Joe Kelly (9-4) turned in a solid outing as he earned his ninth win of the season Tuesday night at Colorado. The right-hander permitted only three hits and two walks while striking over five scoreless innings of an 11-4 victory.

Kelly has allowed one earned run or fewer in seven of his last three starts. He is scheduled to make his next start Sunday night at Milwaukee. He is 0-2 with a 7.88 ERA in four appearances (one start) against the Brewers.

Craig Kimbrel blew his fourth save of the season, but his first since May 7, as the Braves lost to the Nationals, 6-5, in the first game of a Tuesday doubleheader. After loading the bases, Kimbrel allowed one run to score on a fielder's choice and then the tying and winning runs due to a fielding error by Andrelton Simmons.

In one-third of an inning, Kimbrel allowed a single and two walks, and two of the three runs that scored were earned. He is now 3-3 with a 1.33 ERA.

Taking Jorge De La Rosa's place, Rockies pitcher Collin McHugh got the call to start Monday at home against the Cardinals. Although he didn't end up factoring into the decision, McHugh was outstanding in his performance.

The starter allowed just one earned run on four hits and no walks over five innings and 72 pitches. His bullpen allowed his lead to evaporate after he left and he settled for the no-decision. He struck out two and lowered his ERA to 7.94 on the year.

Making his second start since coming over from the Mets -- and first since July 27 -- McHugh was solid on Monday night. That said, he's not expected to remain in the rotation as this was just considered a spot start for the Rockies.

Rockies pitcher Drew Pomeranz made his first appearance in two months Monday night at home against the Cardinals. Pomeranz pitched the sixth inning for Colorado.

Pomeranz, who has battled a biceps injury and forearm tightness, returned with a scoreless inning with one hit allowed and a strikeout. He needed 13 pitches and his ERA on the year is at 7.64.

The Brewers continue to consider giving top pitching prospect Jimmy Nelson a start before the end of the season, MLB.com reports Monday. That said, manager Ron Roenicke declined to give any kind of date.

Milwaukee already is using a six-man rotation at the moment. Nelson would likely fit into the rotation during the season's final road trip against the Braves or Mets. 

"He’s an aggressive guy, and that makes a difference," Roenicke said. "Maybe he’ll be wild, I don’t know. But he’s going to come at you and he’s going to give you his best stuff. Those are the kind of guys you want to see, so if we can get him in there, we want to see him."

Rockies pitcher Collin McHugh will take the ball for a spot start Monday against St. Louis, the Denver Post reports. McHugh has a brutal 10.50 ERA and 2.08 WHIP in four games for the Rockies.

Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller moved to 14-9 Sunday, giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks while striking out one in five innings in his team's 11-2 win over the Mariners.

Miller has surrendered three earned runs or less in all but one of his 13 starts since the beginning of July. He takes a 3.01 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 162:52 K:BB ratio into Friday's start against the Brewers.

Pirates closer Mark Melancon pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Cubs to earn his 16th save, striking out one in the performance.

Melancon has surrendered just eight earned runs all season en route to a 1.07 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 66:8 K:BB ratio in 67 1/3 innings. He's 7 for 7 in save opportunities in September.