MLB Player News

Cardinals starting pitcher Joe Kelly picked up his first win of the season Friday in his final start of the first half of the season.

Kelly held the Cubs to just one run on three hits and two walks over 5 1/3 innings. He struck out four, while throwing 41 of 73 pitches for strikes. He improved his record to 1-3, as the Cardinals won, 3-2.

Kelly has a 3.88 ERA in 48 2/3 innings and he is not expected to return to the rotation immediately after the break. The Cardinals will not need Kelly for a few weeks, so he is expected to pitch out of the bullpen. 

Rockies starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz was optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs Friday to make room on the active roster for Juan Nicasio.

Pomeranz went 0-3 with an 8.76 ERA in three starts, and it is unclear if the team intends to recall him after the All-Star break. 

As the trade deadline approaches, Jim Henderson and Rex Brothers have emerged as my two favorite would-be closers, assuming Francisco Rodriguez and Rafael Betancourt are dealt. But John Axford is pretty high on the list.

I can't see him closing for the Brewers again, particularly since they're reportedly motivated to hold on to Henderson. But since losing the role in early April, Axford has a 1.80 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 9.3 strikeouts per nine innings.

He's still erratic, but with his hard fastball and closing experience, he may turn out to be every contender's second choice (behind Rodriguez) if the Rockies decide they're close enough to contention to hold on to Betancourt.

In a 24-team dynasty league, I'm sticking with Axford just for that reason. It's kind of a longshot, but in a league that deep, it's my best chance to get a closer for cheap.

Rockies starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz struggled with his control yet again Thursday, as he dropped his third decision in a row, 6-1, to the Dodgers.

Pomeranz walked five batters for the second straight outing, while lasting just four innings. He gave up three runs on seven hits and was able to throw just 53 of 91 pitches for strikes. He struck out four in the loss.

Pomeranz is now 0-3 in three starts, with an 8.76 ERA. He has not completed five innings in any of his outings, with 14 walks and 11 strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings. His next start has yet to be scheduled. 

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel allowed the tying run to reach base to lead off the ninth inning Thursday against the Reds, but he was able to retire the side with little issue after in a 6-5 win.

Kimbrel struck out the next two hitters after allowing a leadoff single to Devin Mesoraco, and he was able to get out of the inning when Zack Cosart flew out to left field. Kimbrel earned his 25 save of the season in 28 tries, and he has a 1.57 ERA in 34 1/3 innings. 

Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller lasted just five innings Wednesday against the Astros after issuing a season-high five walks. Miller heads into the All-Star break on a sour note, going 1-2 with a 6.87 ERA in his last four starts.

"It was just one of those days," Miller said, per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "You go out and you go five innings, walk five guys, and give up five hits. It could have been way worse. It was a learning experience. It’s tough going out there when you don’t have your best stuff."

Miller has been struggling with walks lately. He has issued 12 in his last five starts (23 1/3 innings). Now that he will get a long break because of the All-Star Game, Miller said he will focus on one thing heading into his next start.

"Throw strikes. That’s all I’ve got to work on," Miller said. "My stuff is fine. I’ve just got to get it around the zone, and get it on the corners. Just fill up the zone."

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen pitched the final two innings of Wednesday's 7-5, 14-inning win at Arizona, picking up the relief win and improving to 3-3. Jansen allowed one hit and one walk, while striking out three.

Since returning to the closer's role June 11, Jansen is 2-0 with seven saves, two blown saves and a 2.03 ERA. He also has 19 strikeouts in 13 1/3 innings in his last 12 outings.

Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller struggled a bit with his control Wednesday against the Astros, as he settled for a no-decision in his final start before the All-Star break.

Miller allowed three runs on five hits in five innings, and he had some trouble throwing strikes. He walked five and struck out five, while throwing 56 of 94 pitches for strikes. Miller allowed two runs in the second inning and one more in the fifth, when his outing came to an end.

Miller exited the game in line for the loss, which would have been his seventh of the season, after allowing three runs in five innings. But the St. Louis offense bailed him out shortly after he left the game. The Cardinals won, 5-4.

Miller is set to get some extra time off after the All-Star break, as he will not start until the fourth game. Miller is set to take the mound July 23 against the Phillies. 

The Cardinals announced their post-All-Star break rotation plans, Wednesday, and they will not need a fifth starter for a few weeks, according to MLB.com.  As a result, Joe Kelly will return to the bullpen, with the rotation setting up as follows: Jake Westbrook, Lance Lynn, Adam Wainwright and Shelby Miller. 

Mets manager Terry Collins announced Wednesday reliever Carlos Torres will start Saturday in place of Matt Harvey, who is being skipped because of a blister on his hand. Torres, who is expected to replace Shaun Marcum (shoulder) in the rotation in the second half, was 6-3 with a 3.89 ERA in 12 starts for Triple-A Las Vegas prior to joining the Mets' bullpen in mid-June.