MLB Player News

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel made his final appearance of the spring Saturday, in an exhibition game against the team's Double-A affiliate.

Kimbrel allowed two and a walk, with one of the hits going for extra bases. He managed to pitch out of a jam with three strikeouts. Kimbrel seems ready for the beginning of the regular season, after a 5.63 ERA in spring training.

Kimbrel is coming off a dominant season for a closer, allowing seven earned runs in 62 2/3 innings, while striking out 116 and walking 14. He saved 42 games in 45 opportunities. 

Brewers closer John Axford worked the third inning of the team's final Cactus League game Saturday, pitching a scoreless inning while striking out one and allowing one hit and one walk. He ended the spring with a 5.87 ERA in 7 2/3 innings and was not scored upon in his final three appearances.

The Padres rounded out their 25-man roster Friday, optioning pitcher Tom Layne to Triple-A Tucson. Layne struggled during spring training and netted a 9.90 ERA over 12 appearances (10 innings). He did record 15 strikeouts, but opponents also hit .408 against him.

Dodgers reliever Kenley Jansen rebounded from allowing his first run of the spring on March 25 by throwing a scoreless inning against the Angels Thursday. He struck out one and allowed one hit. Jansen picked up his second hold while lowering his ERA to 1.42 over 6 1/3 innings of work.

Brewers closer John Axford battled control issues throughout the 2012 season, finishing the year with 39 walks in 69 1/3 innings. This spring has been a different story, as Axford has only walked one batter in 6 2/3 innings of Grapefruit League action, and that free pass came back in February. Axford also made two World Baseball Classic appearances for Team Canada without surrendering a walk. If he can put his control issues of 2012 behind him, Axford could be in for a nice rebound season.

Pirates reliever Mark Melancon recorded yet another scoreless outing Thursday against the Yankees. He allowed one hit and recorded a strikeout.

Melancon has been sharp all spring, as the outing lowered his ERA to a crisp 1.64 in 11 innings. He's allowed just eight hits with eight strikeouts against five walks. If Jason Grilli falters in the closer role this year, expect Melancon to be his successor.

Rockies senior vice president of Major League operations Bill Geivett said it wasn't an easy decision to demote starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz to Triple-A Colorado Springs, but he said the club feels it will be a beneficial move for the left-handed hurler.

"You also know that it's the best thing for him and it's the best thing for our club, and you've got to make those decisions, no matter how badly you really want him on the club," Geivett said, per MLB.com. "Where he's at right now, he's an attacking fastball guy but with limited use of his secondary pitches. We've got to get that back in order so he can handle a game plan and handle a lineup and do the type of things that I think are not that far away."

Diamondbacks starting pitcher Daniel Hudson, who is on the 60-day disabled list recovering from Tommy John surgery, was pleased with his bullpen session Tuesday, according to The Arizona Republic.

"It felt good," Hudson said after throwing 30 pitches off a practice mound. “Surprisingly good. I might have been a little tentative at first, but once I got that feeling back in me, I just kind of took it and ran with it. It felt like there was a little bit of life to it. I threw a lot of strikes, which was good, as well, and definitely surprising. I wasn’t expecting anywhere near what I did. It was a step in the right direction.

General manager Kevin Towers said he was impressed with Hudson's command.

"Delivery looked good," Towers said. "Balance looked good. Threw strikes. Was free and easy. It was coming out of his hand well."

Diamondbacks pitcher Daniel Hudson, who is on the 60-day disabled list, pitched his first bullpen session Tuesday as he continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery. Hudson still remains on track to join the team around the All-Star break.

Part of the reason Shelby Miller struggled at Triple-A Memphis last year is because he and management were butting heads over pitch selection. Probably not the best way to earn a promotion, but that's what happened. Only after the Cardinals demanded that he stop shaking off the catcher did he turn his season around, prompting his promotion in September and his shot at a rotation spot this spring.

Apparently, his reluctant malleability earned him some points with the coaching staff.

"We explained to him in a year's time the maturing in his game and as a person -- it's just off the charts," manager Mike Matheny said. "He's trending in a great direction. He just has to keep that going. There's a bright future for him. Remember what got him to this point."

Considering Miller was hardly lights-out this spring, the Cardinals must really think he has turned the corner to give him a job at age 22. And if they're willing to give him the benefit of the doubt now, I'm thinking they also will during the season, despite their incredible pitching depth.

Good spring or not, I can't think of too many reasons to pass on Miller in the late rounds.