MLB Player News

With a new crop of would-be closers either about to break through or reclaim their old jobs (Edward Mujica, Bruce Rondon, Carlos Marmol), there's a point where Fantasy owners have to ask themselves: How long do I hold on to Kenley Jansen?

The 25-year-old has a 1.80 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 10 innings -- and has even managed a save this year -- but it's clear that Brandon League is the without-question closer for the Dodgers, having saved five games with a 2.57 ERA and 0.86 WHIP. 

League is no stranger to early season hiccups, but it's tough to base your closer strategy on simply waiting for him to fall apart, especially considering this is his first real taste (outside of late last year) of the DH-less National League. Jansen is owned in 46 percent of leagues, and that number is slipping as owners look for saves right now. In Roto leagues where Jansen's top-line high-strikeout/low-ratio profile has value, he's definitely worth holding. But as a bench stash in shallower formats, it might be time to set Jansen loose and focus on the free-agent relievers getting actual saves, as opposed to waiting for Brandon League to fail. 

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman struck out the side in his inning of work on Monday night against the Cubs. He entered in the ninth with the game tied at 2-2 and needed 13 pitches to retire the side in order.

Chapman, who lowered his ERA to 0.87, has 19 strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings pitched.

After taking the loss his last time out, Cardinals starter Shelby Miller got back in the win column in Monday's series opener against the Nationals. He allowed two runs on four hits over 6 2/3 innings in a 3-2 victory.

The right-hander gave up all of his damage in the fourth when he surrendered back-to-back run-scoring doubles. He was pulled after putting two men on in the seventh and threw 65 of his 98 pitches for strikes.

Miller (3-1) also struck out eight and walked two.

His next start is scheduled for Sunday against the Pirates. Miller allowed two runs over six innings in a loss to Pittsburgh on April 17.

Cardinals starter Shelby Miller has gotten off to a strong start this year relying on just two pitches.

Miller has used his four-seam fastball and curveball against hitters. His third pitch, a changeup, has only been thrown seven times this year. Miller has talked about trusting Yadier Molina's pitch selection this season, so it's not necessarily a case of Miller not having confidence in the pitch. Until hitters show they can make solid contact against Miller's fastball and curve, there's no reason for him to mix in a third offering. Miller will take on the Nationals Monday.

Mets minor-league pitcher Rafael Montero isn't labeled among the team's top-five prospects by MLB.com, but the young right-hander is certainly performing like one. Montero, who ranks No. 8 overall on the organization's prospect list behind other pitchers Zack Wheeler, Noah Syndergaard and Jeurys Familia, has shined during the early part of the season with Double-A Binghamton.

With a fastball that can reach the upper-90s and spins with plenty of movement, Montero has racked up an Eastern League-leading 27 strikeouts to just one walk over 22 2/3 innings in his first four starts. The 22-year-old, who was signed as a free agent out of the Dominican Republic before the 2011 season, also owns a 3-0 record and tidy 1.59 ERA.

Diamondbacks pitcher Daniel Hudson, on the 60-day disabled list recovering from Tommy John surgery, had a total-body workout, general manager Kevin Towers told MLB.com Saturday.

Hudson has been throwing live batting practice, including a 20-pitch outing at extended spring training Tuesday. He is expected to have the day off Sunday and resume his throwing program Monday.

"He feels good," manager Kirk Gibson said. "The best-case scenario [for his return] would be pre-All-Star break."

Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman (2-1) worked a scoreless ninth inning to preserve a 2-2 all tie of a 3-2 win in 13 innings over Miami Saturday. Chapman rebounded after allowing his first run of the season in the series opener Friday and struck out two of the three batters he faced.

It was the third time in his past four appearances, the left-hander has faced the minimum number of batters in an inning. Chapman has made an appearance in 10 of the Reds' 18 games this season.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman surrendered his first run of the season in a 2-1 loss Friday night against the Marlins. Chapman gave up a solo home run to Justin Ruggiano in the ninth inning on a 94 mph fastball.

The left-hander hadn't allowed a run over his eight previous appearances, allowing three hits and striking out 13.

It was only the seventh homer Chapman has allowed during his four seasons in the majors.

"You get so used to him being perfect, but that happens a couple of times a year," manager Dusty Baker said. "It doesn't happen very often. That guy took a good pitch to get it to 3-1. He hit a high fastball, trying to catch up to it."

Despite four straight scoreless appearances, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke isn't ready to name John Axford his closer.

"I still think there's a little bit to go," Roenicke told MLB.com. "But all of his fastballs are down in the zone, unless he tries to make a guy swing at a high one, which is what he used to do. When he comes in and he's throwing all pitches down, I feel he's going to do well. … I like what he's doing."

Axford has allowed just two hits with five strikeouts and no walks over his last four innings.

Jim Henderson will continue to see save chances for the time being.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel picked up his seventh save of the season Thursday against the Pirates, and he did so in convincing fashion. Kimbrel needed 16 pitches to strike out the side, preserving a 6-4 win.

Kimbrel now has seven saves in seven opportunities, and he has yet to allow a run in 7 2/3 innings. Kimbrel has walked two and allowed two hits while striking out 10 batters.