MLB Player News

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel earned his 24th save in a 6-4 win over the Marlins Tuesday, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning. Kimbrel has given up one earned run on 11 hits and nine walks while striking out 26 in his last 20 innings and lowering his ERA to 1.62.

Mets pitcher Carlos Torres is the likely candidate to fill the rotation spot vacated by Shaun Marcum, who will miss the remainder of the year due to injury.

Torres has made eight relief appearances since joining the team in mid-June, allowing one earned run on eight hits and two walks in 13 2/3 innings while striking out 12. He was 6-3 with a 3.89 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 67:19 K:BB ratio for Triple-A Las Vegas before his promotion.

A Dodgers scout was dispatched to Milwaukee this week to scout Brewers' relievers, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Danny Knobler. While Milwaukee has said Jim Henderson is off limits, the team is willing to discuss trading John Axford, Francisco Rodriguez and Mike Gonzalez. 

"Axford's a risk," said one scout from another team who saw him recently. "His stuff is good, but the command isn't there. I'd be worried about putting him in the eighth inning. K-Rod's changeup is really coming back. He might help someone."

The Dodgers aren't the only team scouting Milwaukee relievers. According to FOXSports.com, the Tigers, Orioles and Diamondbacks have scouted Brewers' relievers, according to major-league sources.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen entered Sunday's series finale against the Giants in the ninth inning with a three-run lead. The right-hander worked his way around a two-out single to Buster Posey and struck out Hunter Pence for the final out to earn his ninth save in a 4-1 win.

Jansen has converted six of his last seven save opportunities. He has a 2.49 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP over his first 43 1/3 innings.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman struck out two batters during a perfect ninth inning during Sunday's 3-1 loss against the Mariners. It was Chapman's second July appearance, but his last save came June 29 at Texas.

Chapman has fired three scoreless appearances since allowing three runs over two outings June 22-23 at Arizona.

Rockies pitcher Drew Pomeranz (0-2) was hit hard again as he suffered his second loss of the season Saturday night against the Diamondbacks. The left-hander surrendered five runs on five hits and five walks while striking out two over four innings pitched in an 11-1 defeat.

Pomeranz has allowed nine earned runs over his first 8 1/3 innings pitched for the Rockies this season. He is scheduled to make his next start Thursday against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

Cardinals starting pitcher Joe Kelly was not sharp in his return to the rotation Saturday against the Marlins, but the bullpen and offense bailed him out in 5-4 win.

Kelly gave up four runs in six innings of work, with three of the four runs coming on a pair of homers. He gave up five hits and two walks in the game, while striking out four batters.

Kelly left the game own 4-2, but the Cardinals scored twice in the seventh and one more time in the ninth to get him off the hook for the loss. He remains 0-3 with a 4.15 ERA in 43 1/3 innings. Kelly is in line to make his next start Friday against the Cubs. 

Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller will start just one more time before the All-Star break, in an attempt to give the rookie some extra rest. The team announced Saturday Miller would be moved back from Tuesday to Wednesday against the Astros, dropping a scheduled start for Sunday against the Cubs.

Miller has been excellent for the Cardinals this season, but they hope the limit the rookie's innings. He has a 2.80 ERA in 9 2/3 innings.

The Pirates will move pitcher Jeanmar Gomez to the bullpen, with A.J. Burnett's looming return to the rotation. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette confirmed that move Friday, along with the news that Gerrit Cole will stay in the rotation moving forward.

Gomez has a 2.70 ERA 14 appearances this season, including eight starts. 

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel suffered his second loss Thursday night against the Marlins.

Kimbrel (2-2) issued two walks and allowed a run-scoring single to Donovan Solano to break a tie. The right-hander permitted a run on a hit and two walks while striking out the side. It was the first run Kimbrel has allowed since May 7. He has a 1.72 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP through in 32 appearances.