MLB Player News

Pirates starting pitcher Charlie Morton is expected back from the disabled list early in June, which could cost Jeanmar Gomez his spot in the rotation, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Manager Clint Hurdle said the team does expect Morton to be in the rotation once his rehab assignment is over.

"We won't have to worry about that for another 10 days," Hurdle said. "We all believe that starting is Charlie's niche right now."

Gomez has a 2.78 ERA and has allowed six runs in 18 2/3 innings in four starts. 

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman recorded his 10th save Wednesday against the Mets.

Chapman allowed a hit but struck out two. He now has an absurd 34 strikeouts in 21 innings. The outing lowered his ERA to an even 3.00.

Colleague Al Melchior's interpretation of Dodgers manager Don Mattingly's comments Tuesday about not wanting to anoint a closer? "It's Jansen."

That's what he said in between segments on Wednesday's Fantasy Baseball Today -- referring, of course, to Kenley Jansen -- and I can't disagree.

If Mattingly is declaring an open competition for the role, which is how I read it, then Jansen shouldn't have much trouble delivering the decisive blow to Brandon League. His meltdowns over the weekend have created some suspense, but in the end, he'll prove to be the more effective reliever.

And if his performance as a closer last year counts for anything, he might end up being a top-five reliever the rest of the way.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said during a television interview Tuesday starting pitcher prospect Rafael Montero is on the radar as a player who could get promoted to the majors this season, according to the New York Post.

Montero, who was recently promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas from Double-A Binghamton, is 4-4 with a 3.38 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in nine starts. He also has struck out 59 batters and walked just seven in 53 1/3 innings.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel pitched in a rare non-save appearance Tuesday, as he took the mound in a 4-4 tie in the 10th inning against the Twins.

Kimbrel set the Twins down without much drama, though he did hit Tyler Plouffe with a pitch with one out. He retired the next two batters easily, needing just 14 pitches to finish the inning. He struck out one batter and picked up a pair of groundball outs.

The Braves would go on to score in the bottom of the 10th, giving Kimbrel his first win of the season, 5-4. He now has a 2.45 ERA in 19 appearance, just two of which have not come in a save situation.  

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly would not reveal who his closer is to reporters. However, the skipper seems to be leaning toward Kenley Jansen over Brandon League in high-stress situations based on recent use, according to MLB.com.

"I know who I want to use. But I don't know if I want to anoint anybody," Mattingly said. "I'd really like to see the bullpen get its confidence back and some semblance of order and get the guys in the roles we designed. I know where I want it to go, it just hasn't gone there. They set the roles the way they are pitching. Now it's hard to say, 'That guy deserves that inning.'"

League has a 5.51 ERA through 16 appearances while Jansen has three losses and has allowed three homers in his last 5 1/3 innings of work.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman was stuck in a rut over his last few appearances, so he decided to change things up Monday against the Mets; he started pitching out of the stretch even with the bases empty. 

"He was down in the bullpen getting loose and threw from the stretch and felt comfortable that way. So he just stayed with it," Reds pitching coach Bryan Price told MLB.com Tuesday.

Chapman had blown his previous two save opportunities before setting down the Mets on 11 pitches in a 4-3 win. 

Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller failed to go six innings for the second straight start and for the fourth time in nine starts Monday against the Padres. The right-hander continues to be plagued by high pitch counts.

Miller exceeded 100 pitches for the third time in four May starts and for the fifth time this season. 

"Throwing 20 pitches every single inning is not what I'm here to do," Miller said, per MLB.com. "Facing a good hitting offense on a big league club, it's not going to be easy to just throw it and have then swing at it every single time. Something I have to realize is to get the ball around the zone and hopefully things happen better."

Outside of the complete-game shutout he threw May 10, Miller is averaging more than 17 pitches per inning in his eight other starts.

"There are some nights where they're picking it up a little bit better and fouling it off," manager Mike Matheny said. "They're still not squaring up a lot of them. I think taking some shots down in the bottom of the zone more often may be part of the way to help him because the foul balls are typically the ones at the top."

Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller needed 107 pitches and couldn't finish the sixth inning Monday in San Diego. He only allowed three runs, but it was enough to suffer the defeat. 

Miller fell to 5-3 on the year with a 1.74 ERA, as he gave up three runs on five hits and three walks over 5 2/3. He struck out five in the loss. 

The 22-year-old clearly has been much better than his record would suggest with the low ERA and a 0.93 WHIP. He's struck out 62 over 57 innings. The loss was his first since April 28. Miller will make his next start Sunday in Los Angeles against the Dodgers. 

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman was backed by his manager Dusty Baker before Monday's game against the Mets after he'd blown a save in two straight appearances. He converted one on this night. 

Chapman earned his ninth save with two strikeouts in a perfect ninth inning. He needed just 11 pitches and his ERA is at 3.15.