MLB Player News

Diamondbacks starting pitcher Daniel Hudson threw 74 pitches in extended spring training Wednesday, and was reportedly reaching 95 MPH with his fastball.

Hudson threw six innings in the game, surrendering four earned runs on seven hits and one walk, while striking out three.

Hudson might be able to begin his minor-league rehab assignment soon, however plans have yet to be announced. His timetable continues to suggest a return near the All-Star break. 

Pirates starting pitcher Jeanmar Gomez enjoyed another solid outing but was not backed by the proper run support as he did not factor in the decision Tuesday night against the Tigers.

Gomez pitched seven scoreless innings and allowed just three hits and one walk while striking out two before handing the game to the bullpen.

Gomez has allowed five earned runs over his last 28 1/3 innings. He is scheduled to make his next start Sunday at home against Cincinnati. He is 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA in five appearances (three starts) at home.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel allowed a runner to reach scoring position in the 10th inning Tuesday against the Blue Jays but was able to strand him to earn his 16th save.

Kimbrel walked Adam Lind to open the inning and then allowed a stolen base by pinch runner Munenori Kawasaki, before getting two flyballs to left field to end the threat 7-6.

Kimbrel has saved six chances in a row, giving him 16 in 19 opportunities this season. He has a 2.21 ERA and 0.93 WHIP, with 30 strikeouts and five walks in 20 1/3 innings. 

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman got the final three outs Monday at home against the Indians. Chapman closed out a 4-2 win for his 13th save.

The closer went 1-2-3 in the ninth with two strikeouts. He's recorded five straight saves without allowing a run since blowing back-to-back opportunities for the Reds. Chapman has 41 strikeouts over 24 innings this season. 

The Padres optioned reliever Tommy Layne to Triple-A Tuscon Monday, in order to make room on the active roster for Clayton Richard. 

Layne allowed one run in 2 1/3 innings while taking the loss in his only appearance Sunday against the Diamondbacks. 

Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller was unable to factor in the decision of Sunday's series finale against the Dodgers.

Miller surrendered a two-run home run to Adrian Gonzalez in the first and a run-scoring single to Gonzalez in the fifth. He was charged with three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out three in 5 1/3 innings of a 5-3 win.

Miller has failed to go six innings for the third consecutive start and the fifth time in 10 starts. He is scheduled to make his next start Friday at home against San Francisco. He is 2-1 with a 0.99 ERA in four starts at Busch Stadium.

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said he "likes what we're doing" with reliever John Axford, indicating he'll remain in an eighth-inning role rather that close in the wake of Jim Henderson's injury, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Axford has a 6.66 ERA but just a 3.18 mark with a 2.7 K/BB since his fifth appearance of the year. Although Roenicke was non-commital, it seems Francisco Rodriguez, who saved Saturday's game against Pittsburgh, is the most likely choice to close.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman threw a perfect ninth inning for his 12th save and fourth in a row Saturday against the Cubs.

Chapman struck out two on 13 pitches, his fourth outing in a row with multiple strikeouts. Chapman has allowed two hits and a walk in four innings since he blew back-to-back saves.

Chapman has 12 saves in 14 opportunities, with a 2.74 ERA in 25 appearances. He has 39 strikeouts and 10 walks in 23 innings. 

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel earned his 15th save Saturday in the continuation of Friday's suspended game against the Mets. Kimbrel hit the first batter and then allowed a single before inducing a pop-up and a double-play grounder.

Kimbrel, who has a 2.33 ERA, threw 17 pitches, so the Braves may not want to push him by using him in the regularly scheduled game Saturday night.

Diamondbacks starting pitcher Daniel Hudson, who is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, will pitch in another extended spring game Wednesday.

Barring any setbacks, Hudson could be nearing the start of his minor-league rehab assignment, according to MLB.com. He is expected to return at some point near the All-Star break.

"Just depends on how I bounce back," Hudson said. "It's just day by day at this point. Just see how I feel and go from there. There's really no set schedule, except for when I'm supposed to throw. And if I need an extra day, we'll take an extra day, or if I need an extra five days, we'll take an extra five days."