MLB Player News

The Padres optioned pitcher Brad Boxberger to Triple-A Tuscon Wednesday to clear a roster spot for Wednesday starter Robbie Erlin. Boxberger has spent four stints with the Padres this season, allowing five earned runs in 14 2/3 innings while striking out 16 and walking seven.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel made quick work of the Indians Tuesday, as he closed out a 2-0 win.

Kimbrel set the Indians down on 11 pitches, with one strikeout and two groundball outs. He has now matched his save total from last season with 42, and has now matched his ERA from 2012 at 1.01. 

Cardinals starting pitcher Joe Kelly (6-3) tossed a quality start as he earned his sixth win of the season Tuesday night against the Reds. The right-hander permitted one run on eight hits and three walks while striking out one over six innings of a 6-1 victory.

Kelly has allowed three earned runs over his last three starts (18 innings). He'll get another crack at the Reds Monday night at Cincinnati. He is 3-0 with a 2.09 ERA in 16 appearances (four starts).

The Padres have recalled reliever Anthony Bass from Triple-A Tucson and optioned reliever Brad Brach to the same club Monday, MLB.com reports. 

Brach appeared in just one game in his latest stint with the team. He gave up two hits and two walks over two scoreless innings. 

Bass hasn't been up with San Diego since June. He has a 4.28 ERA over 33 2/3 innings this year. 

Mets pitcher Carlos Torres will start Thursday against the Phillies.

Torres will take the place of Matt Harvey, who has a partially torn UCL. Torres has a 3.00 ERA through 25 games. 

Braves reliever Craig Kimbrel entered Sunday's game against the Cardinals with a three-run advantage in the ninth inning. The right-hander needed only 11 pitches as he retired the side in order to preserve a 5-2 win and his 41st save of the season.

Kimbrel is 41 of 44 in save chances with a 1.03 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP.

With Marlins rookie starting pitcher Jose Fernandez on track to reach his innings limit in early September, the team is considering potential rotation replacements. Among the candidates are Sam Dyson and Brad Hand, who are both on the 40-man roster, as well as Brian Flynn, per MLB.com.

"As we get in the next few days, we'll finalize that list and put that together," Marlins manager Mike Redmond said.

The Phillies optioned reliever Luis Garcia to Triple-A Lehigh Valley Sunday. Garcia went 0-1 with a 5.63 ERA in 16 relief outings.

Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller turned in a strong performance in his team's 6-2 win over the Braves Saturday, giving up just one earned run on three hits while striking out six and walking none in seven innings to move to 12-8.

It was Miller's first win since being removed after facing just one batter and getting hit on the arm Aug. 7. He owns a 2.90 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 151:41 K:BB ratio going into Friday's start against the Pirates.

Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman struck out three batters and hit one batter in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to earn his 33rd save in his team's 6-3 win over the Brewers.

Normally a strikeout machine, Chapman had recorded just one strikeout in three innings over his previous three appearances, in which he gave up two earned runs on five hits and two walks. He owns a 2.87 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 90:23 K:BB ratio in 53 1/3 innings.