MLB Player News

Kershaw (toe/knee) is expected to start Saturday's contest against the Angels, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Kershaw has missed the entirety of the 2025 season to this point while recovering from left toe and left knee surgeries, but he now appears to be all set to return to action over the weekend. The left-hander has made three rehab starts with Triple-A Oklahoma City, posting a 3.75 ERA and 0.92 WHIP with eight strikeouts over 12 innings. Kershaw was limited to just seven starts with the Dodgers during the 2024 regular season, producing a 4.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP, both of which represented career highs for the 18-year veteran. He'll likely operate under some sort of pitch count restriction in his return versus the Angels.

Manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that "as of now," Houck will make his next start Sunday against Atlanta, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

It sounds like Cora is leaving the door open for Houck to not stay in the rotation after Houck gave up 11 earned runs Monday for the second time this season. If the team goes in another direction, Sean Newcomb or Cooper Criswell could be candidates for a spot start, as Walker Buehler (shoulder) is aiming to return next week.

Scherzer (thumb) was unable to throw as scheduled Tuesday because of back tightness following his last bullpen session, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

The Blue Jays are hopeful Scherzer will be ready to throw at some point later this week. While the back tightness does not seem to be a significant setback, it will delay Scherzer a bit just as he was getting ramped back up from his right thumb inflammation. The 40-year-old isn't eligible to return from the 60-day injured list until May 29, and he probably won't be ready by then, anyway.

The Guardians placed Lively on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a right flexor strain, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Lively was forced from Monday's start versus the Brewers with what was called right forearm inflammation at the time, but subsequent testing has revealed a more serious injury. It's unclear at this point how long he might be sidelined, but it will undoubtedly be longer than a minimum stay on the IL. Kolby Allard threw three scoreless innings Monday after Lively exited and looks to be the most likely candidate to fill Livey's rotation spot in the short term.

Bloss (elbow) will undergo UCL surgery on his right elbow, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Bloss left his May 3 start with an elbow injury and now he'll need an unspecified procedure to repair his UCL. He impressed in the spring but struggled to a 6.46 ERA, 1.94 WHIP and 24:13 K:BB in 23.2 innings across six appearances at Triple-A. Bloss could return in the middle or second half of next season, depending on the exact procedure he gets.

Montero was recalled from Triple-A Toledo ahead of Tuesday's game against the Red Sox.

Montero will work as the bulk reliever behind opener Tyler Holton. Montero has a 4.15 ERA and 1.48 WHIP this season with 15 strikeouts and 10 walks in 21.2 innings.

Triple-A Worcester will place Drohan on the 7-day injured list Tuesday due to left forearm inflammation, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

The 26-year-old lefty has a 2.03 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 38 strikeouts in 26.2 innings across seven appearances for Worcester. He should be considered out indefinitely.

Double-A Chesapeake transferred Reilly (elbow) to its full-season injured list Sunday.

Chesapeake initially placed Reilly on the 7-day IL on April 23 due to right elbow discomfort. Though the Orioles haven't provided an explanation for why Reilly was moved to the full-season IL, the transaction likely points to the right-hander requiring surgery of some sort. Reilly had made three starts prior to being shelved, tossing 9.2 innings and striking out eight batters while allowing two earned runs on six hits and four walks.

Kemp (shoulder) has made two starts in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League this season, covering nine innings in total while allowing seven earned runs on seven hits and five walks while striking out five.

An eighth-round selection out of high school in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft, Kemp didn't pitch that season or last due to a right shoulder injury. Kemp received a clean bill of health prior to the start of the Complex League season, but the young righty has struggled to display much control early on. In addition to walking 12.8 percent of the batters he's faced, Kemp has hit two batters and thrown three wild pitches.

Single-A Delmarva placed Morfe on its 7-day injured list April 22 due to a right ring finger sprain, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Morfe suffered the injury during his April 18 start. The 18-year-old righty had struggled mightily with his control over three abbreviated outings to begin the season, walking 12 batters and allowing seven runs (five earned) in just two innings.