MLB Player News

Clemens will join the Padres prior to their game against the Yankees on Friday.

Clemens was recently acquired off waivers Tuesday, and will join the Padres' bullpen Friday. The 28-year-old made two starts for the Marlins in the past 10 days after being called up from their Triple-A team (going a combined 1-0 with a 6.30 ERA during 10 innings of action). Clemens will likely spend his time in the bullpen but could make an appearance starting if others in the starting rotation falter or go down with an injury.

Nicolino was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans on Friday, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Nicolino was recalled prior to his start Friday against Julio Teheran and the Braves. The 24-year-old has posted a 3-3 record with New Orleans, with a 2.82 ERA in 38.1 innings. He has been up and down between Miami and New Orleans all season, and has compiled a 5.17 ERA with a 1.54 WHIP during 55.2 innings of action with the big league club this season.

Ryu (shoulder) will pitch in another rehab game Friday at High-A Rancho Cucamonga, Eric Stephen of True Blue LA reports.

Ryu had his previous rehab outing cut short due to rain Tuesday with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He only tossed 26 pitches (20 strikes) during 1.2 innings of work, and will get another start Friday before being eligible to return to the Dodgers on Monday. Ryu has made four starts in the past couple weeks between Oklahoma City and Rancho Cucamonga, totaling 12.2 innings with ten earned runs given up. Besides one rough outing, the 29-year-old has looked good, and has accumulated a 14:1 K:BB during that span.

Imhof lost his right eye after suffering a freak accident last week in Florida, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Imhof was hit in the face by a piece of metal that broke lose when he was using a resistance band that was anchored to the wall. In addition to destroying his right eye, the metal also fractured his nose and both orbital bones.

Finnegan (3-7) was annihilated Thursday by the Nationals. He lasted just 2.1 innings, allowing eight runs, five hits and five walks while striking out two in the loss.

By far, this was Finnegan's worst performance of the season. He had managed to last at least four innings in all of his previous 16 outings, and never gave up more than five runs before running into the Nationals on Thursday. The 23-year-old southpaw was enjoying a nice June, entering the game with a 3.19 ERA in his previous five starts this month. Things won't get any easier for Finnegan as he draws the Cubs on Tuesday for his next start.

Matz (7-3) allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out six over 5.1 innings, but received no decision Thursday against the Cubs.

Matz, who had his start pushed back two days due to an elbow issue, gave up homers in the first and sixth innings to account for all three runs he allowed, but the offense came up big after his departure to take him off the hook for a potential loss. He's now failed to post a quality start in three of his last four outings, and his ERA has risen to 3.40. He'll make his next start Tuesday against the Marlins.

Davies (5-4) took it on the chin at home Thursday against the Dodgers. He was hooked after allowing six runs, eight hits and two walks while striking out three in just 4.1 innings.

Thursday's outing snapped a long streak of effective starts for Davies. From May 4 through Wednesday -- covering Davies' last 10 starts -- he was 5-0 with a 2.46 ERA, tied for 10th best in the NL over that period. The sophomore right-hander entered the game with a respectable 3.74 ERA, but left it with a blemished 4.22 mark. Davies three strikeouts were his least amount since May 10 when he whiffed just one batter. He'll look to start a new streak in his next start Tuesday in Washington.

Maeda (7-5) scattered three hits and surrendered a lone run in six innings while walking two and striking out six in Thursday's 8-1 win over the Brewers.

The Japanese-rookie turned in a typically-methodical performance to notch his seventh win. Maeda seems to be settling into the states nicely, walking away from June with a 2.73 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in six starts this month. In four of those six outings, the right-hander allowed just one earned run and lowered his ERA to 2.82 in the process. He's scheduled to get the ball twice more before the break, with his next start coming Tuesday at home against the Orioles.

Kershaw (back) was diagnosed with a mild disc herniation and will not require surgery, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

He'll still head to the disabled list and remains without a timetable for a recovery, but the worst case scenario was avoided, as an MRI revealed the ace will not need to go under the knife. The team acquired Bud Norris from the Braves earlier Thursday and he figures to slot into Kershaw's spot in the rotation for the time being.

Strasburg (back) threw a bullpen session Thursday, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reports.

Strasburg was also able to throw a bullpen session Tuesday and is eligible to come off the disabled list as early as Friday. Despite that, manager Dusty Baker indicated he was not overly optimistic his ace would be able to return in time to make a start over the weekend. For the time being, the Nationals are listing Sunday's starter as TBA, so there figures to be a further update prior to that day's tilt.