MLB Player News

Pirates starting pitcher Jeanmar Gomez is set to take the mound Friday against the Astros, and he calf tightness that plagued him in his previous start is not an issue, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Gomez has started three games in a row since moving into the rotation, and has allowed just three earned runs on eight hits in 14 innings of work. He has not gone more than five inning in any start, and the team seems OK with that out of him for now.

"Jeanmar's still spinning out of that fifth spot because he performed admirably as well as a long man, a pure long man, a few times," manager Clint Hurdle said. "He's given us what we need there as a five-inning guy, basically."

Gomez is expected to remain in the rotation at least until Charlie Morton can retrun from the disabled list, which is not expected to occur until June 5.

"We'll see where it takes us," Hurdle said. "We'll keep our eyes on what's down below as well."

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman blew his first save opportunity in nine chances when he allowed an inherited runner to score Thursday night against the Marlins. He would allow just one hit while recording both of his outs via strikeout and earn the win when the Reds scored three runs in the 10th.

Chapman has posted a 2.41 ERA this season while saving eight games and compiling an impressive 30 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings. Thursday's win was his third of the year.

When a starting pitcher makes it through 27 batters in a row during a start without allowing a hit, it is rightly celebrated as one of the most impressive achievements in baseball.  When a reliever does it over nine appearances mostly in the late innings of a game, we hardly take notice.

Just ask Marlins reliever Ryan Webb, who had not allowed a hit in his last 32 opponent at-bats before Joey Votto singled off him Wednesday. Even he hadn't realized how long his hitless streak was until after it ended.

"Honestly, I didn't even pick up on it until a week ago," Webb told the Sun-Sentinel. "Probably San Diego [last week] I realized it had been a little while."

Webb has only gone less than a full inning in one of his last 10 outings, and has not allowed a run in that span. With 11 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings, Webb is well aware of how much help he has gotten from his defense in this streak.

"Definitely there was some good defense behind all those outs I got and I got lucky on some stuff, which is going to happen," Webb said. "I'm getting the put-aways when I need to."

The Cardinals are asking Shelby Miller to control the run game more efficiently, according to MLB.com.

Miller has been fantastic this season, but opposing base-runners are seven for eight off him. The Cardinals recently timed Miller with a stopwatch, and found he was too slow during his windup. Miller admitted he has been making some mental mistakes, and vowed to take care of the issue. 

Miller will work on his "hold" times during bullpen sessions, which will allow him to figure out the most effective ways for him to cut down on his time to the plate. Miller's next start will come May 20 against the Padres.

Brewers reliever John Axford could be headed to the minors to work out his struggles if he doesn't get back on track soon, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Manager Ron Roenicke has stood by Axford throughout his struggles, but admitted there have been discussions about sending him to the minors. Roenicke said it could happen, but "hopefully it won't." Axford has a 9.00 ERA and a 7.15 FIP in 15 innings.

Cardinals starter Shelby Miller continued his scoreless run in his outing against the Mets on Wednesday night. After throwing a one-hit shutout his last time out, he worked 5 2/3 scoreless innings, giving up four hits while striking out six.

The right-hander retired the first two batters to extend his streak to 29 consecutive batters, dating back to his previous outing before David Wright hit a single. He was pulled with two out in the sixth after throwing 96 pitches, 65 for strikes, and left in line for the win. But the bullpen was unable to hold on and Miller ended up with a no-decision.

The 22-year-old also struck out six and walked one while lowering his ERA to 1.40.

Miller is scheduled to take the mound next on Monday against the Padres.

Brewers reliever John Axford gave up another run in his appearance on Tuesday night against the Pirates and suffered his third blown save. The right-hander has a 9.20 ERA through 14 2/3 innings pitched.

"I definitely am frustrated," Axford told MLB.com on Wednesday. "I can't lie about that, but I feel strong, I feel good and that's where I've got to keep building off of. The first four games of this season, that wasn't me, and that's something I can get a wash too and brush that away. I felt different; my mechanics weren't quite right."

Manager Ron Roenicke said he has been confused by Axford's struggles thus far.

"I don't know; it's hard to figure out," Roenicke stated. "We still have confidence in him, and nothing seems to go right. So we'll see."

Between Brandon League's struggles and Kenley Jansen's successful conversion of a save opportunity Tuesday, the Dodgers officially have a closer controversy. With manager Don Mattingly's decision to use Jansen even though League was available, Fantasy owners have more reason to doubt the skipper's commitment to keeping League in the ninth-inning role.

When League appeared to be uncontested as the closer, Fantasy owners were taking a risk in rostering Jansen, even though he has a decidedly better statistical profile for the job. Now that there is even a sliver of doubt around League's status, it's time to pounce on Jansen in the many leagues where he is still on waivers. Given a chance to close out games, Jansen is highly likely to pitch so well that Mattingly won't put him back in a setup role.

With regular save opportunities, Jansen would be an across-the-board contributor (aside from wins) who would rank among the top three closers in Fantasy for the rest of the season.

A day after backing the struggling Brandon League as his closer, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly turned to Kenley Jansen for the one-out save Tuesday against the Nationals, prompting the question has Mattingly made a change at closer?

"We’ll see," Mattingly said, per the Los Angeles Times. "I don’t know if I really have to set roles. We always talk about where we’re at in the lineup. I know we like to create controversies and all that. Honestly, I prefer having roles where everybody knows where they’re at. But tonight I felt like Kenley was the best shot of getting that guy out."

Jansen said he's fine with whatever role Mattingly wants him to fill.

"Honestly, it don’t matter," Jansen said. "Whenever the [bullpen] phone rings for me, it’s time to work. Go out there and help the team win, that’s all that’s on my mind. I don’t watch the roles. That’s for Donnie and the front office to deal with."

Dodgers reliever Kenley Jansen faced just one batter on Tuesday night against the Nationals. He came on in the ninth inning with one on, two out and a two-run lead. The right-hander got Tyler Moore to strike out swinging to strand the runner and secure the 2-0 win.

It was Jansen's second save of 2013.