MLB Player News

Kershaw (back) played catch Wednesday for the first time since landing on the DL, J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group reports.

While manager Dave Roberts says that Kershaw's potential need for a rehab assignment is contingent on how long he's out, the club is optimistic he will be able to return without one, as his recovery is progressing faster than expected. He will continue to rehab over the next week and a timetable for his return in the second half should be more apparent after the All-Star break, but things are heading in a positive direction.

Nicasio hurled two shutout innings Tuesday, registering his second relief win in the last four days.

Since moving to the bullpen on June 26, Nicasio has thrown 8.1 shutout innings with two holds. So long as Pittsburgh continues to match him up against right-handed hitting, the two-pitch pitcher figures to be a competent option.

Davies won't start at Triple-A Colorado Springs Sunday, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Davies will simply head to Triple-A to open up a spot on the big league roster. Look for him to be recalled shortly after the All-Star break to slot back into the big league rotation, as Davies had been improving with Milwaukee and went 3-1 with a 2.89 ERA in June.

Davies was optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Wednesday, Fox Sports Wisconsin reports.

Davies improved to 6-4 with a win Tuesday evening, but with the All-Star break around the corner, he'll head back to Triple-A, presumably so he can make his regular turn in the rotation. The Brewers used the vacant roster spot on a utility bench option in Andy Wilkins. Look for Davis to rejoin the rotation at some point after the break.

Glasnow will take the hill for the Pirates on Thursday against the Cardinals, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune reports.

A report from ESPN's Buster Olney earlier Wednesday suggested Glasnow would be up soon, and now it appears the team has confirmed the date of his start. He'll get a tough draw in his major league debut, taking on Adam Wainwright and the Cards in a road matchup. The Pirates now have their rotation set up until the All-Star break, but it's unclear if Glasnow will remain a part of that picture following the Midsummer Classic.

Glasnow is expected to be recalled by the Pirates and start during their weekend series in Chicago, ESPN's Buster Olney reports.

Glasnow has now put together four straight quality starts for Triple-A Indianapolis, but most importantly, he walked just one batting in his most recent outing after issuing 15 free passes in the previous three. Command has been a bit of an issue for the 22-year-old right-hander this season, as he owns 52 walks over 96 frames. If the current report holds true, Glasnow would be in line to start in place of Steven Brault in Sunday's series finale.

Maeda (7-6) allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks with five strikeouts over four innings in a loss Tuesday to Baltimore.

This marks just the second time all season Maeda has failed to make it through the fifth inning. Maeda still has yet to suffer a start in which he allows more than four runs, and that ability to avoid a blowup even when he is at his worst has helped Maeda maintain his sharp 3.07 ERA. As such, expect Maeda to bounce back well in his last start before the break Sunday against San Diego.

Davies (6-4) pitched 6.2 innings, allowing two runs, nine hits and one walk while striking out three in a win over the Nationals on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old rebounded nicely after allowing nine runs on 15 hits over his previous two starts. After going winless in the season's first month, Davies is now 6-1 since the start of May. He allowed a career-high three homers in his last start, but made a nice adjustment Tuesday by keeping the ball down in the zone and inducing a season-high 11 groundouts. The sophomore will hit the break sporting a 4.10 ERA after 15 starts.

Matz (7-4) took a hard loss Tuesday against the Marlins, allowing two runs on six hits in seven innings. He struck out six and walked one.

The lefty was cruising and seemed to have a tight grip on a 1-0 lead deep into the ballgame until Giancarlo Stanton mashed a two-run shot in the top of the seventh to turn the tables on Matz and the Mets. Overall, it was an encouraging outing for the sophomore after his last two outings were disappointments. Matz is scheduled to toe the rubber once more before the break when he faces the Nationals on Sunday.

Eflin (1-2) tossed a complete game, allowing one run on six hits while striking out six Tuesday against the Braves.

The rookie right-hander picked up his first MLB win in style, becoming just the second Phillies' pitcher to throw a complete game this year (the first since Vince Velasquez did it on April 14). After a disastrous debut on June 14 against the Blue Jays (nine runs allowed in 2.2 innings), Eflin has settled in nicely to the team's rotation. In his four starts since the shelling in Toronto, the 22-year-old has a 2.03 ERA to go alongside a tidy 13:1 K:BB.