MLB Player News

Kershaw said Friday that his left shoulder doesn't hurt when he throws, but Dr. Neal ElAttrache recommends more rest, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Kershaw won't pitch this weekend, but he will throw a bullpen session next week in Baltimore, so in theory he could return to the rotation next weekend in Texas if he gets cleared. It seems as though Kershaw is probably ready to go, but the 35-year-old is trusting the doctors and playing things extremely safe. He has a 1.09 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 30 strikeouts and four wins in 33 innings over his last five starts.

Wright (shoulder) is close to being cleared to throw off a mound, Grant McAuley of 92.9 FM The Game reports.

Wright has been sidelined for two months with a strained right shoulder but has been doing flat-ground throwing for the past month. He figures to need multiple bullpen sessions before facing hitters at least a couple times ahead of an eventual rehab assignment, so there's still plenty of work to be done. There's still no clear timeline for the right-hander to rejoin the Atlanta rotation.

The Padres optioned Waldron to Triple-A El Paso on Friday.

With the return of Steven Wilson (pectoral) from the injured list, Waldron will return to the minors to free up a spot in San Diego's bullpen. The 26-year-old knuckleballer has allowed two runs over 4.2 major-league innings, but his 7.02 ERA and 1.66 WHIP in Triple-A tell a different story about how his season has gone so far.

Brewers general manager Matt Arnold said in an interview on MLB Network on Friday that Woodruff (shoulder) should be ready to rejoin the rotation "within the next month or so," Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Woodruff threw another bullpen session Thursday, which went "great," per Arnold. The right-hander was shut down a couple weeks ago because he wasn't recovering well in between throwing sessions, but it would appear he's back on track. Woodruff has been sidelined since mid-April due to a Grade 2 subscapular strain and will need multiple rehab starts before being activated.

Matz is scheduled to start Saturday's game against the Nationals in St. Louis.

Given the Cardinals' thin starting pitching depth along with the fact that Matz struck out nine while allowing an unearned run over 5.1 innings in his outing last Sunday against the White Sox, it's not surprisingly that he'll get another turn through the rotation. Despite his excellent showing his last time out, the southpaw is sitting on an 0-7 record, 4.65 ERA and 1.51 WHIP over 71.2 innings this season, so he's still tough to rely on as a streaming option even in what profiles as a strong matchup. To Matz's credit, he's been far more effective while working primarily as a reliever since the beginning of June, pitching to a 1.93 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 20:5 K:BB in 18.2 innings over the past six weeks.

The Mets activated Quintana (rib) from the 60-day injured list Friday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Quintana reached the 30-day limit on his rehab assignment, so his activation was merely a formality. While the Mets haven't yet announced when the left-hander will make his team debut, he'll likely make a start next week during the team's two-game home series with the White Sox. The veteran left-hander has been out all season following surgery in March on his rib cage. Quintana held a 4.60 ERA and 16:8 K:BB over 15.2 innings covering five minor-league rehab appearances.

Susana has a 3.81 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and a 52:30 K:BB in 49.2 innings through 13 starts for Single-A Fredericksburg.

The 6-foot-6 righty is one of the youngest pitchers in full-season ball, so he should be graded on a bit of a curve. Susana obviously needs to work on cutting his 14 percent walk rate, but he has been more consistent lately. The 19-year-old hurler has logged between four and five innings in eight straight starts while posting a 3.24 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 30:14 K:BB in 33.1 innings over that stretch.

Whisenhunt has a 4.97 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and a 19:10 K:BB in 12.2 innings through four starts for Double-A Richmond.

The owner of one of the best changeups in the minors, Whisenhunt touched 96 mph with his fastball and struck out the game's best prospect, Jackson Holliday, with a changeup in the Futures Game. He dominated in six starts at High-A (1.42 ERA, 0.67 WHIP) after impressing in four starts at Single-A to open the year, but Whisenhunt has finally reached a level that is challenging him. His 17.2 percent walk rate is concerning, but the sample against Double-A hitters is very small.

Corbin was placed on paternity leave list Friday, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Corbin will rejoin the Nationals early next week to make his first start of the second half. He posted a 4.89 ERA in 19 outings prior to the All-Star break.

Contreras' option was transferred to the Florida Complex League on Thursday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Contreras was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on July 6 but had yet to take the mound in the minors. With this move, he should have the chance to re-find his form after a disappointing first half of the season, during which has maintained a 6.59 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 55:32 K:BB across 68.1 innings. Mackey did note that Contreras is expected to pitch at a higher level again this season.