MLB Player News

Cardinals starter Joe Kelly (8-3) enjoyed an impressive performance as he earned his eighth win of the season Friday night against the Pirates. The right-hander yielded one run on eight hits and three walks while striking out four over six innings pitched in a 12-8 victory.

Kelly has allowed one earned run or fewer in four of his last five starts. He is scheduled to make his next start Thursday at home against Milwaukee. He's allowed four runs over three innings pitched against the Brewers this season.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman turned in another impressive outing as he struck out the side for his 35th save of the season Friday night against the Dodgers. The right-hander needed only 13 pitches to secure a 3-2 victory.

Chapman is 35 of 39 in save opportunities with 2.67 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP.

The Rockies officially activated pitchers Roy Oswalt and Drew Pomeranz off the disabled list. Pomeranz will be available off the bullpen Friday night while Oswalt could make the start Sunday against the Padres.

Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller came up just short of a quality start Wednesday, as he could not finish six innings in a 5-4, extra-innings win over the Reds.  

Miller struggled with his control a bit in the game, walking four and allowing one run to come around to score in the second inning on a wild pitch. He gave up one other run in the second, and then one more in the fifth, finishing with three charged to his line in 5 2/3 innings.

Miller gave up six hits and four walks, while striking out three batters and throwing 55 of 95 pitches for strikes. He exited the game in line for the loss, however the Cardinals' offense rallied to send the game to extra innings, where they would win in 16 innings.

Miller remains 12-9 with a 3.19 ERA, heading into his next start, scheduled for Tuesday against the Brewers. 

Cubs pitcher Pedro Strop could be in line for more save chances, according to MLB.com.

Manager Dale Sveum doesn't know who will close next year, and wants to see if Strop is capable of handling the job. Through 47 innings, Strop has a 4.60 ERA. 

Pirates closer Mark Melancon converted his 11th save of the season Tuesday night against the Brewers. The right-hander worked his way around a base hit as he struck out one and tossed a scoreless inning to preserve a 4-3 win.

With Jason Grilli back from the disabled list, Melancon is expected eventually return as the setup man for the Pirates. He owns a 0.87 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP in 62 1/3 innings of relief.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman struck out the side for his 34th save of the season Tuesday night against the Cardinals.

Chapman has not allowed a run over his last five innings pitched. He is 34 of 39 in save opportunities with 2.82 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP.

Mets pitcher Carlos Torres ran into trouble late in his outing as he was charged with his third loss of the season Tuesday night against the Braves. The right-hander yielded three runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out six over seven innings of a 3-1 defeat.

Torres has surrendered four earned runs over his last 13 2/3 innings. He is scheduled to make his next start Monday at home against the Nationals. He has allowed eight runs over five innings pitched against the Nationals this season.

Braves starting pitcher Craig Kimbrel notched his 44th save of the season Tuesday night against the Mets. The right-hander worked his way around a base hit as he struck out two in a scoreless ninth to secure a 3-1 victory.

Kimbrel is 44 of 47 in save chances with a 0.94 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP. He is two saves away from matching his career-high mark set 2011, and three away from breaking that mark.

The Padres have recalled relievers Anthony Bass, Brad Boxberger and Brad Bach from Triple-A Tucson prior to Tuesday's game against the Giants.