MLB Player News

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman entered Wednesday's contest against the Angels in the ninth inning with the score tied at 4-4. He worked a scoreless frame as he was able to strand a two-out walk.

The left-hander was rewarded with his first win of the season when Joey Votto hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth.

Chapman has struck out three over his first two appearances.

After winning a spot in the bullpen out of camp, Pirates pitcher Justin Wilson threw on opening day against the Cubs. The left-hander struck out two and did not give up a hit over 1 1/3 innings.

“It's nice to get out there and control the nerves a little bit by getting the first one out of the way,” the 25-year-old told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Wednesday.

Wilson worked mainly as a starter during his time in the minors, going 9-6 with a 3.78 ERA in 29 appearances (25 starts) at Triple-A Indianapolis last season.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel entered Monday's season opener against the Phillies in the ninth inning with a two-run lead. The right-hander needed 16 pitches to retire the side in order and secure the 7-5 win. Kimbrel also struck out one while collecting his first save of the season.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman made his first appearance of 2013 in Monday's season opener against the Angels.

Chapman came on in the ninth inning with the game tied at 1-1 and worked a scoreless frame. The left-hander struck out two and walked one while not surrendering a hit.

John Axford's season got off to a bit of a rocky start on Monday, as he gave up a ninth inning home run to Dexter Fowler with two outs, erasing a save opportunity, incurring a blown save, and causing any of his owners to shake their heads before dusk on opening day. 

But fear not, Axford owners! The home run was the only hit he gave up in the ninth, he didn't walk anyone, and he struck out three (for perspective, Axford struck out as many players in one inning as Yovani Gallardo did in five). Plus, the Brewers eventually won the game, anyway. There is no need to panic here with Axford, even though Jim Henderson pitched a flawless 10th for the win. Continue to trot him out as your closer, and expect somewhere in the neighborhood of 35 saves in what should be a bounceback year. 

When the Marlins announced that top pitching prospect Jose Fernandez would be promoted to the majors, the result was a 30 percent increase in ownership -- making him the most added player so far. Fernandez went from being owned in 12 percent of leagues to 42 almost overnight.

Also shooting up the most added list are Mariners starting pitcher Brandon Maurer, who will make his MLB debut Thursday, and Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr., whose stellar spring landed him in Boston’s opening day lineup batting eighth. Just behind them are Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu and Cardinals relief pitcher Mitchell Boggs, rounding out the top five. 

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny announced Sunday right-hander Shelby Miller, who earned the final spot in the rotation, will make his season debut Saturday at San Francisco, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. The 22-year-old carried a 3.94 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 16 Grapefruit League innings.

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez remains confident that closer Craig Kimbrel will shake off a tough spring and return to his dominant ways once the season begins. Kimbrel finished with 5.63 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP over eight innings in Grapefruit League play.

"It just takes a little bit of a tweak to his delivery and he gets right back on track," Gonzalez said. "I think he'll be fine. When you're a closer, you get juiced up for that ninth inning -- and it's hard to get that adrenaline that you live for in the sixth inning of a Spring Training game."

The Reds shored up their bullpen for the start of the season Sunday, providing spots to Manny Parra, Alfredo Simon and J.J. Hoover. All three players are expected to pitch in middle relief.

In his final appearance of the spring, Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller cruised through an exhibition outing Saturday against the Marlins' Triple-A squad, completing 4 2/3 scoreless innings. Miller, who claimed the final spot in the St. Louis rotation after beating out Joe Kelly this spring, struck out seven batters and walked one while allowing just four hits.

The Cardinals have not decided when Miller will make his season debut as there is a possibility he could be pushed back until their first homestand next week.