MLB Player News

John Axford's season got off to a bit of a rocky start on Monday, as he gave up a ninth inning home run to Dexter Fowler with two outs, erasing a save opportunity, incurring a blown save, and causing any of his owners to shake their heads before dusk on opening day. 

But fear not, Axford owners! The home run was the only hit he gave up in the ninth, he didn't walk anyone, and he struck out three (for perspective, Axford struck out as many players in one inning as Yovani Gallardo did in five). Plus, the Brewers eventually won the game, anyway. There is no need to panic here with Axford, even though Jim Henderson pitched a flawless 10th for the win. Continue to trot him out as your closer, and expect somewhere in the neighborhood of 35 saves in what should be a bounceback year. 

When the Marlins announced that top pitching prospect Jose Fernandez would be promoted to the majors, the result was a 30 percent increase in ownership -- making him the most added player so far. Fernandez went from being owned in 12 percent of leagues to 42 almost overnight.

Also shooting up the most added list are Mariners starting pitcher Brandon Maurer, who will make his MLB debut Thursday, and Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr., whose stellar spring landed him in Boston’s opening day lineup batting eighth. Just behind them are Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu and Cardinals relief pitcher Mitchell Boggs, rounding out the top five. 

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny announced Sunday right-hander Shelby Miller, who earned the final spot in the rotation, will make his season debut Saturday at San Francisco, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. The 22-year-old carried a 3.94 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 16 Grapefruit League innings.

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez remains confident that closer Craig Kimbrel will shake off a tough spring and return to his dominant ways once the season begins. Kimbrel finished with 5.63 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP over eight innings in Grapefruit League play.

"It just takes a little bit of a tweak to his delivery and he gets right back on track," Gonzalez said. "I think he'll be fine. When you're a closer, you get juiced up for that ninth inning -- and it's hard to get that adrenaline that you live for in the sixth inning of a Spring Training game."

The Reds shored up their bullpen for the start of the season Sunday, providing spots to Manny Parra, Alfredo Simon and J.J. Hoover. All three players are expected to pitch in middle relief.

In his final appearance of the spring, Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller cruised through an exhibition outing Saturday against the Marlins' Triple-A squad, completing 4 2/3 scoreless innings. Miller, who claimed the final spot in the St. Louis rotation after beating out Joe Kelly this spring, struck out seven batters and walked one while allowing just four hits.

The Cardinals have not decided when Miller will make his season debut as there is a possibility he could be pushed back until their first homestand next week.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel made his final appearance of the spring Saturday, in an exhibition game against the team's Double-A affiliate.

Kimbrel allowed two and a walk, with one of the hits going for extra bases. He managed to pitch out of a jam with three strikeouts. Kimbrel seems ready for the beginning of the regular season, after a 5.63 ERA in spring training.

Kimbrel is coming off a dominant season for a closer, allowing seven earned runs in 62 2/3 innings, while striking out 116 and walking 14. He saved 42 games in 45 opportunities. 

Brewers closer John Axford worked the third inning of the team's final Cactus League game Saturday, pitching a scoreless inning while striking out one and allowing one hit and one walk. He ended the spring with a 5.87 ERA in 7 2/3 innings and was not scored upon in his final three appearances.

The Padres rounded out their 25-man roster Friday, optioning pitcher Tom Layne to Triple-A Tucson. Layne struggled during spring training and netted a 9.90 ERA over 12 appearances (10 innings). He did record 15 strikeouts, but opponents also hit .408 against him.

Dodgers reliever Kenley Jansen rebounded from allowing his first run of the spring on March 25 by throwing a scoreless inning against the Angels Thursday. He struck out one and allowed one hit. Jansen picked up his second hold while lowering his ERA to 1.42 over 6 1/3 innings of work.