MLB Player News

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman, who has pitched on back-to-back days, is expected to have his workload lessen in the next few days. Chapman has converted his first two save opportunities and has not allowed a run through his first six appearances.

Manager Dusty Baker is hoping to avoid Chapman and Jonathan Broxton in Monday's series opener against the Cardinals.

"Broxton hasn't thrown as many pitches as Chapman," Baker said. "It would be nice to have one today, one tomorrow and both the next day. Then we have an off-day. A complete game would cure everything."

Dodgers reliever Kenley Jansen has pitched fine in three games to start the season, but so has the rest of the Dodgers' bullpen.

No reliever in the team's pen has surrendered a run yet, including closer Brandon League. Coming into the season, many expected Jansen to eventually take the closer role from League. Jansen is still a good source for holds and strikeouts, but he won't have a ton of value in most leagues unless he's racking up saves. 

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke may be ready to demote John Axford from the closer role. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Roenicke will have a meeting with Axford before discussing the closer situation to the public.

The right-hander gave up a two-run home run to pinch-hitter Eric Hinske that cost the Brewers the game in the 11th. He has a whopping 20.25 ERA, 3.00 WHIP and has served up four home runs through three appearances.

Cardinals reliever Joe Kelly took a hit off his pitching hand in the ninth inning of Sunday's 14-3 victory against the Giants. Kelly was checked on the mound and was able to complete the inning.

He told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch after the game that he felt some "slight tenderness" but he will not need an X-ray. Kelly is expected to be available for Monday's home opener against the Reds.

Brewers closer John Axford continued his struggles as he could not keep the ball in the park again Sunday afternoon against the Diamondbacks.

Axford entered the game in the 10th inning and retired the side in order. Brewers manager Ron Roenicke elected to stick with Axford in the 11th and the move failed miserably. The right-hander served up a two-run home run to pinch-hitter Eric Hinske to break a 6-all tie.

Axford was charged with two runs on two hits in just one inning of work and was pegged with the loss. He has a whopping 20.25 ERA, 3.00 WHIP and four round-trippers allowed through three appearances. 

Aroldis Chapman earned his second save for the Reds with a scoreless inning Sunday against Washington.

Chapman allowed a hit but struck out two. It was his first hit allowed of the season and has not given up a run. His strikeout was his seventh in four innings as he continues to be one of the nastiest closers (and pitchers in general) in the game.

X-rays on Pirates pitcher Jeanmar Gomez's ribs came up clean after he was struck by a line drive Friday, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Gomez pitched three innings Friday and is expected to be available out of the Pirates' bullpen as a long relief man again Sunday.

Cardinals rookie starting pitcher Shelby Miller earned the win in his first start of 2013, allowing two earned runs on four hits and four walks while striking out four in 5 1/3 innings. He threw 95 pitches in a 6-3 win over the Giants.

It was Miller's second career major-league win, having notched his first in relief, late in 2012. He's lined up to face the Dodgers at home in his next start.

Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman struck out the side on just 12 pitches during the 10th inning in Cincinnati's 7-6 loss to Washington on Saturday. Making his fourth appearance of the season, Chapman fanned Bryce Harper, Ryan Zimmerman and Chad Tracy all swinging to push his strikeout total to seven through four innings.

X-rays revealed no damage to Pirates relief pitcher Jeanmar Gomez after he was struck in the chest by a line drive Friday, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Gomez allowed just one hit and no walks in three innings of work Friday in his first appearance of the regular season.