MLB Player News

Brewers closer John Axford battled control issues throughout the 2012 season, finishing the year with 39 walks in 69 1/3 innings. This spring has been a different story, as Axford has only walked one batter in 6 2/3 innings of Grapefruit League action, and that free pass came back in February. Axford also made two World Baseball Classic appearances for Team Canada without surrendering a walk. If he can put his control issues of 2012 behind him, Axford could be in for a nice rebound season.

Pirates reliever Mark Melancon recorded yet another scoreless outing Thursday against the Yankees. He allowed one hit and recorded a strikeout.

Melancon has been sharp all spring, as the outing lowered his ERA to a crisp 1.64 in 11 innings. He's allowed just eight hits with eight strikeouts against five walks. If Jason Grilli falters in the closer role this year, expect Melancon to be his successor.

Rockies senior vice president of Major League operations Bill Geivett said it wasn't an easy decision to demote starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz to Triple-A Colorado Springs, but he said the club feels it will be a beneficial move for the left-handed hurler.

"You also know that it's the best thing for him and it's the best thing for our club, and you've got to make those decisions, no matter how badly you really want him on the club," Geivett said, per MLB.com. "Where he's at right now, he's an attacking fastball guy but with limited use of his secondary pitches. We've got to get that back in order so he can handle a game plan and handle a lineup and do the type of things that I think are not that far away."

Diamondbacks starting pitcher Daniel Hudson, who is on the 60-day disabled list recovering from Tommy John surgery, was pleased with his bullpen session Tuesday, according to The Arizona Republic.

"It felt good," Hudson said after throwing 30 pitches off a practice mound. “Surprisingly good. I might have been a little tentative at first, but once I got that feeling back in me, I just kind of took it and ran with it. It felt like there was a little bit of life to it. I threw a lot of strikes, which was good, as well, and definitely surprising. I wasn’t expecting anywhere near what I did. It was a step in the right direction.

General manager Kevin Towers said he was impressed with Hudson's command.

"Delivery looked good," Towers said. "Balance looked good. Threw strikes. Was free and easy. It was coming out of his hand well."

Diamondbacks pitcher Daniel Hudson, who is on the 60-day disabled list, pitched his first bullpen session Tuesday as he continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery. Hudson still remains on track to join the team around the All-Star break.

Part of the reason Shelby Miller struggled at Triple-A Memphis last year is because he and management were butting heads over pitch selection. Probably not the best way to earn a promotion, but that's what happened. Only after the Cardinals demanded that he stop shaking off the catcher did he turn his season around, prompting his promotion in September and his shot at a rotation spot this spring.

Apparently, his reluctant malleability earned him some points with the coaching staff.

"We explained to him in a year's time the maturing in his game and as a person -- it's just off the charts," manager Mike Matheny said. "He's trending in a great direction. He just has to keep that going. There's a bright future for him. Remember what got him to this point."

Considering Miller was hardly lights-out this spring, the Cardinals must really think he has turned the corner to give him a job at age 22. And if they're willing to give him the benefit of the doubt now, I'm thinking they also will during the season, despite their incredible pitching depth.

Good spring or not, I can't think of too many reasons to pass on Miller in the late rounds.

I find it funny Rockies pitcher Drew Pomeranz actually has a worse ERA on the road (5.77) than at hitter-friendly Coors Field (4.35) in his career. And he's let up more homers on the road (eight in 13 starts) than at home (six in 13 starts). Usually, you see the splits skewed significantly higher toward Coors Field, but it seems pitching in the altitude has Pomeranz so screwed up he brings his bad tendencies on the road.

Pomeranz's biggest problem is his control. He averaged 3.5 walks per nine innings this spring, averages 4.0 walks per nine innings in 26 major-league starts and averages 3.5 walks per nine innings in 30 minor-league starts. It's easier to get away with putting runners on base in the minors as major-league hitters are better at capitalizing on mistakes. 

Much like I wrote about Jacob Turner, I feel Pomeranz would benefit from more time in the minors because he clearly has some mechanical issues to iron out. I like Pomeranz over Turner as a long-term keeper because of his strikeout potential. I feel his value would rise if dealt to a team with a pitcher-friendly home ballpark, but I think Pomeranz has the talent to thrive in Colorado and I'm not ready to write off the 24-year-old hurler.

The Rockies optioned pitcher Drew Pomeranz to Triple-A Colorado Springs Monday, according to the Denver Post.

Pomeranz was a candidate for a rotation spot in the majors, but Colorado filled that need by signing Jon Garland.

Pomeranz went 2-2 with a 5.50 ERA in five outings during the Cactus League.

MLB.com reports Shelby Miller has beat out Joe Kelly for the final spot in the Cardinals' rotation.

Kelly allowed two runs on two hits over two innings of work in Monday's Cactus League appearance against the Twins.

The 24-year-old has a 5.54 ERA in five outings this spring and is expected to serve in long relief to begin the year for St. Louis.

MLB.com reports Shelby Miller has beat out Joe Kelly for the final spot in the Cardinals' rotation.

Miller made his fifth appearance of the Grapefruit League on Monday against the Twins and allowed just one run on six hits over 4 1/3 innings. The right-hander also struck out two and walked two while lowering his spring ERA to 3.94.

Miller, 22, could make his first start of the regular season in the fifth game or on April 10.