MLB Player News

Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw might not require another rehab start before returning to a big league mound, according to ESPN. Neither he nor the team are ruling out the possibility that his next start could be with the Dodgers.

Don Mattingly originally claimed Kershaw would indeed need two minor league outings to complete his recovery from a muscle tear near his left shoulder. Kershaw, however, looked sharp Friday night in giving up just one run on two hits and fanning six in a Class A performance. He did not confirm after the game another minor league start.

"I don't know yet," he said. "I'm not sure what I want to do or the team wants to do or if they align or anything like that. I'm not planning on any confusion, though."

Kershaw breezed past Arizona in his first start of the regular season in Australia, but has not pitched in a major league game since.

Rockies pitcher Jordan Lyles put together a quality outing, but had to settle for a no-decision Friday night against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. The right-hander permitted two runs on six hits and one walk while striking out four in seven innings of work.

Lyles allowed four runs in his first start of the season. Since then, he has allowed just four earned runs over his last 18 2/3 innings pitched in three starts. He owns a 3.04 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP with an 18:7 K:BB ratio over 30 2/3 innings pitched. He'll make his next start Wednesday at Arizona.

Pirates starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (2-2) put together a dominant outing, but was not backed by any run support in his team's 1-0 defeat. The right-hander permitted one run on six hits and three walks while striking out four over seven innings of work, suffering his second loss of the season.

Cole has allowed just two earned runs over his last 15 innings pitched in his previous two starts. He owns a 3.18 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP with a 26:11 K:BB ratio over 34 innings pitched. He'll make his next start Wednesday at home against San Francisco.

Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (2-2) racked up double-digit strikeouts for the third time this season, fanning 11 and collecting his second win of the season in his team's 11-1 victory over the Padres. The right-hander permitted seven hits and two walks over seven scoreless frames.

Strasburg lowered his ERA from 5.33 to 4.24 after Friday's win. He owns a 1.41 WHIP and a 53:12 K:BB ratio over 34 innings pitched. He'll make his next start Friday night against the Phillies in Philadelphia.

Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw began his long-awaited minor-league rehab assignment Friday for Class A Rancho Cucamonga.

Kershaw went below his original 65-pitch limit, logging only 56 in his first game action since suffering a back injury. He allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out six over five innings of work. He'll likely need one more rehab start before rejoining the rotation.

Mets starting pitcher Zack Wheeler turned in a dominant outing on Friday, but didn't receive enough run support, settling for a no-decision in his team's 4-3 win over the Marlins. The right-hander allowed one run on four hits and three walks while striking out 10 over six innings of work.

Wheeler owns a 3.99 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP over 29 1/3 innings through five starts, four of which have been quality starts. He will make his next start Thursday at Colorado.

Marlins starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez pitched well Friday against the Mets in New York, but was let down by his bullpen as he settled for a no-decision in a 4-3 loss. The right-hander permitted two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four over six innings pitched. The Mets scored two runs in the ninth off Steve Cishek for the win.

Alvarez put together three straight quality starts, allowing just five earned runs over his last 21 innings pitched over that span. He owns a 2.73 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP over 29 2/3 innings pitched. He'll make his next start Thursday against Atlanta.

Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright was able to get through a normal bullpen session Thursday, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Wainwright hyper-extended his knee during his most recent start, but downplayed the severity of the injury. The fact that he's been on a normal schedule since the injury confirms that Wainwright will make his Sunday start. 

Wainwright has a 1.46 ERA through five starts. 

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly told reporters Wednesday Clayton Kershaw would need two rehab starts before he considers bringing him back into the rotation.

Still, Mattingly would not confirm his rotation for next week's series against the Twins when talking to MLB.com Thursday, appearing to leave the possibility open for an earlier-than-expected return for Kershaw. Kershaw will likely be evaluated after his start for Class A Rancho Cucamonga, which is expected to have a 65-pitch limit.

Kershaw has been out since the season opener with a back injury, and will make his rehab debut Friday, leaving him on schedule to pitch again Wednesday. 

Cardinals starter Lance Lynn picked up his first loss of the season Thursday against the Mets.

Lynn didn't pitch poorly, but was outdueled by Bartolo Colon. Over 6 1/3 innings, Lynn allowed two runs on four hits. He walked two batters and struck out nine. Lynn made three mistakes during the outing. He gave up a solo home run to Chris Young to open the bottom of the fifth, and allowed a run scoring double during the sixth. That second run was unearned, however, after Eric Young Jr. reached on a throwing error by Lynn.

Lynn was pulled after giving up a leadoff walk to begin the seventh. That run would come around to score, giving Lynn two earned runs during the outing.

Lynn dropped to 4-1, and will look for his fifth win against the Brewers.