MLB Player News

Pirates reliever Jeanmar Gomez had X-rays taken on his rib cage after his appearance in Friday's game against the Dodgers, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports Saturday. 

The Pirates do not yet know the severity of Gomez's injury, but he was hit by a comebacker in the eighth inning and remained in the game. Making his first appearance of the year, Gomez went three innings against L.A. and gave up just one hit. 

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel continued to pitch up to expectations Friday, picking up his second save of the season against the Cubs.

Kimbrel worked another scoreless ninth to save a 4-1 win. He struck out one batter, and needed just eight pitches to finish the job. He has two saves in two appearances through the first four games of the season. 

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman worked a scoreless ninth inning Thursday against the Angels to record his first save of the season during a 5-4 win. 

Chapman allowed a leadoff single to Mike Trout, but he retired the next three batters in order, which included striking out Josh Hamilton to end the game. Chapman (1-0) hasn't allowed a run in three appearances this season. He also has four strikeouts in three innings.

Diamondbacks setup man David Hernandez threw his second straight scoreless appearance of the season Wednesday against the Cardinals. It was also the 18th time in his last 19 appearances at Chase Field the right-handed reliever held an opponent scoreless, according to The Arizona Republic. 

Since 2011, Hernandez has shutout opponents in 67 of 77 home games. He has 105 strikeouts in that span, which is second among relievers.

"(It’s) just being able to sleep at home and being in your own bed, waking up and being able to stick with the routine that you’re comfortable with," Hernandez said. "On the road, you get in at different hours, you get back from the stadium at different times … at home it’s just a comfort. And it always helps to have the fans cheering for you."

After John Axford's blown save Monday against the Rockies, Al Melchior, Nando Di Fino and I all preached patience.

He allowed only a solo home run and he struck out the side.

But then came his performance in a non-save situation Wednesday, when he allowed two home runs and five total hits in two-thirds of an inning. Maybe patience would again be the proper approach if not for this comment by Brewers manager Ron Roenicke afterward:

"[His velocity] was way down," Roenicke told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "We'll talk to him and see how he's doing but I noticed it was way down. He says he feel fine." FanGraphs had Axford's average fastball velocity at 92.4 Wednesday, down 2.3 miles per hour from Monday.

Not sure what to make of this yet. If Axford's velocity was OK Monday, then presumably he can get it back. Still, with Roenicke expressing concern, I'd want to stash Jim Henderson if I owned Axford or simply needed saves.

Brewers closer John Axford endured another rough outing Wednesday night against the Rockies.

After blowing the save on opening day, he allowed three runs on five hits over two-thirds of an inning.

The right-hander came on in the ninth with his team trailing by one and gave up a leadoff single before Michael Cuddyer hit a two-run homer. Axford surrendered a solo home run to Dexter Fowler and was pulled after throwing 18 pitches, 11 for strikes.

Axford has a 21.60 ERA through two appearances while getting tagged with three home runs.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman entered Wednesday's contest against the Angels in the ninth inning with the score tied at 4-4. He worked a scoreless frame as he was able to strand a two-out walk.

The left-hander was rewarded with his first win of the season when Joey Votto hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth.

Chapman has struck out three over his first two appearances.

After winning a spot in the bullpen out of camp, Pirates pitcher Justin Wilson threw on opening day against the Cubs. The left-hander struck out two and did not give up a hit over 1 1/3 innings.

“It's nice to get out there and control the nerves a little bit by getting the first one out of the way,” the 25-year-old told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Wednesday.

Wilson worked mainly as a starter during his time in the minors, going 9-6 with a 3.78 ERA in 29 appearances (25 starts) at Triple-A Indianapolis last season.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel entered Monday's season opener against the Phillies in the ninth inning with a two-run lead. The right-hander needed 16 pitches to retire the side in order and secure the 7-5 win. Kimbrel also struck out one while collecting his first save of the season.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman made his first appearance of 2013 in Monday's season opener against the Angels.

Chapman came on in the ninth inning with the game tied at 1-1 and worked a scoreless frame. The left-hander struck out two and walked one while not surrendering a hit.