MLB Player News

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly would not reveal who his closer is to reporters. However, the skipper seems to be leaning toward Kenley Jansen over Brandon League in high-stress situations based on recent use, according to MLB.com.

"I know who I want to use. But I don't know if I want to anoint anybody," Mattingly said. "I'd really like to see the bullpen get its confidence back and some semblance of order and get the guys in the roles we designed. I know where I want it to go, it just hasn't gone there. They set the roles the way they are pitching. Now it's hard to say, 'That guy deserves that inning.'"

League has a 5.51 ERA through 16 appearances while Jansen has three losses and has allowed three homers in his last 5 1/3 innings of work.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman was stuck in a rut over his last few appearances, so he decided to change things up Monday against the Mets; he started pitching out of the stretch even with the bases empty. 

"He was down in the bullpen getting loose and threw from the stretch and felt comfortable that way. So he just stayed with it," Reds pitching coach Bryan Price told MLB.com Tuesday.

Chapman had blown his previous two save opportunities before setting down the Mets on 11 pitches in a 4-3 win. 

Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller failed to go six innings for the second straight start and for the fourth time in nine starts Monday against the Padres. The right-hander continues to be plagued by high pitch counts.

Miller exceeded 100 pitches for the third time in four May starts and for the fifth time this season. 

"Throwing 20 pitches every single inning is not what I'm here to do," Miller said, per MLB.com. "Facing a good hitting offense on a big league club, it's not going to be easy to just throw it and have then swing at it every single time. Something I have to realize is to get the ball around the zone and hopefully things happen better."

Outside of the complete-game shutout he threw May 10, Miller is averaging more than 17 pitches per inning in his eight other starts.

"There are some nights where they're picking it up a little bit better and fouling it off," manager Mike Matheny said. "They're still not squaring up a lot of them. I think taking some shots down in the bottom of the zone more often may be part of the way to help him because the foul balls are typically the ones at the top."

Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller needed 107 pitches and couldn't finish the sixth inning Monday in San Diego. He only allowed three runs, but it was enough to suffer the defeat. 

Miller fell to 5-3 on the year with a 1.74 ERA, as he gave up three runs on five hits and three walks over 5 2/3. He struck out five in the loss. 

The 22-year-old clearly has been much better than his record would suggest with the low ERA and a 0.93 WHIP. He's struck out 62 over 57 innings. The loss was his first since April 28. Miller will make his next start Sunday in Los Angeles against the Dodgers. 

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman was backed by his manager Dusty Baker before Monday's game against the Mets after he'd blown a save in two straight appearances. He converted one on this night. 

Chapman earned his ninth save with two strikeouts in a perfect ninth inning. He needed just 11 pitches and his ERA is at 3.15. 

Reds reliever Aroldis Chapman is coming off blowing a dramatic save against the Phillies Sunday. He gave up back-to-back homers to lose it for Cincinnati.

Chapman blew his second straight save, but manager Dusty Baker said he's available to close Monday against the Mets, MLB.com reports

"He's good to go," Baker said of Chapman on Monday. "You know, this is a funny game. We're extremely happy when it happens to the other guy. Everybody was super-happy when it happened to Kimbrel. When it happened to us, everybody wants to know what's wrong and are looking for answers. Sometimes there are no answers."

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel was called upon for the third consecutive day against the Dodgers Sunday afternoon.

Kimbrel worked his way around a two-out walk as he struck out three to secure his 14th save of the season in a 5-2 win. He has not allowed a run in his last four appearances. Kimbrel has a 2.60 ERA and has converted 14 of 17 save chances.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman blew his second save of the season in Sunday's loss to Philadelphia.

It looked like Chapman had everything under control after he picked off Cliff Lee, who was pinch hitting for Delmon Young -- yes, you read that right -- but back-to-back homers from Erik Kratz and Freddy Galvis -- yes, your read that right -- tied the game and then gave Philadelphia the victory. Chapman has already given up three home runs this season, one less than all of last year. His ERA rose to 3.32 as a result.

Mets starting pitcher prospect Rafael Montero has been promoted from Double-A Binghamton to Triple-A Las Vegas, according to ESPN. Montero was 4-3 with a 3.47 ERA and .223 opponents' batting average in eight starts.

Montero also struck out 54 batters and walked just six in 46 2/3 innings.

Dodgers reliever Kenley Jansen blew his first save Saturday against the Braves. Jansen entered the game in the eighth inning with a 1-0 lead and an inherited runner.

But he was greeted by a two-run homer from Evan Gattis and Andrelton Simmons followed with a solo shot, sending Jansen (1-2) and the Dodgers to an eventual 3-1 loss. 

Jansen said Gattis "just hit a good pitch." Gattis said Justin Upton gave him advice about avoiding cutters that appeared to be bound for the middle of the plate because they would break off the plate. Gattis said Upton's instruction was to wait on a pitch "starting at you, or it looks like it's starting at you. That's going to be the one that you want."

"What could I do?" Jansen asked. "I'm not going to let that bother me. Tip your hat. He hit a good pitch. You've got to go in there. Period. He's creeping up on home plate every time I'm throwing outside. I put it where I wanted to put it."